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Coronavirus Kent: Care worker Sue Cairns dies from Covid-19 in Margate's QEQM hospital

The funeral of a doting nan and 'happy-go-lucky member of the biking community' who died from coronavirus could be live-streamed to her many friends in the motorcycling community.

It is among the many plans being made for Sue Cairns, 58, from Manston, who succumbed to the disease after just four days in Margate's QEQM hospital.

Sue Cairns was "funny, caring, and warm and a great mum and nan"
Sue Cairns was "funny, caring, and warm and a great mum and nan"

It is also hoped that bikers will escort her on her final journey to the crematorium.

Her heartbroken daughter, Laura Cairns, says she has lost her best friend.

"She was funny, caring, and warm and a great mum and nan. She was full of life and loved to party," she said.

Sue lived at Preston Park in Manston and worked at a care home for autistic adults.

But she recently developed a worrying cough and went into the QEQM hospital where coronavirus was quickly diagnosed.

Biker chick Sue Cairns with daughter Laura
Biker chick Sue Cairns with daughter Laura

She was later sent home but after a couple of days her condition worsened and she was re-admitted. She died four days later.

"We managed to get a video call with her the day before and she watched her granddaughter Marissa, who is 15 months, dance about, " said Laura.

"It seemed to perk her up and we were talking about what we would do when she got out and the lockdown was lifted.

"But the following day her condition deteriorated significantly. She fought hard but passed away peacefully on May 2 surrounded by wonderful NHS staff on Sandwich Bay Ward."

Sue previously suffered from a bout of pneumonia last December and it is thought that could have weakened her resistance.

Sue Cairns with her newborn granddaughter
Sue Cairns with her newborn granddaughter

Laura, 29, who lives in Glencoe Road, Margate, says she has received hundreds of messages of sympathy, many from the biker community which Sue loved being part of.

"Mum could be a doting mum and nan one minute and this partying, lovable biker woman the next.

"She was full of life, loved going on the back of her dear friend Budgie's bike to rallies and events across Kent and Sussex, as well as the local rock and roll music scene.

"Her favourite was Billy Fury and we will probably be playing some of his music at her funeral, especially his song 'Maybe Tomorrow' which was one of her favourites."

Laura says her mum was of modest means and she has launched a fundraising page to help pay for funeral costs.

"She hadn't got much money and I want to be able to give her a brilliant send-off and already her many friends have been very generous."

The GoFundMe page can be found here.

The date of the funeral has yet to be fixed but Laura says she will post it on her Facebook page, as well as on the GoFundMe page as soon as she knows.

"Obviously, we are limited to just 10 people inside and 10 outside the crematorium at present but I am hoping to get some sort of cortege for the procession and a live stream set up for those unable to attend, " she added.

Read more: All the latest coronavirus news

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