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A frontline nurse has shared an emotional cover of Andra Day’s hit song Rise Up to help lift the spirits of colleagues.
Emma Rivera works in the intensive care unit at the QEQM Hospital in Margate, where fellow nurse Aimee O'Rourke died on Thursday.
She was inspired to release the track amid the battle against coronavirus, and before her colleague's tragic death.
Emma told KentOnline how fellow medics were posting on their WhatsApp group about the pressures of working in the unit.
"It feels surreal finding yourself in this situation, because four weeks ago we were watching the news and could see how bad it was in Italy and everywhere else," the 40-year-old said.
"I just wanted as a senior member of staff in my unit to keep everyone uplifted.
"To maintain that teamwork and positive spirit is very important to us."
Listen: Emma Rivera's cover of Rise Up
So Emma decided to do something she "really enjoys doing" - which is recording songs.
"The lyrics are so well-fitting to how we are feeling as frontliners in our unit," she said.
"It is a dedication to my colleagues and everyone else in the NHS."
Emma posted the song to her friends on Facebook and shared it with colleagues - and she was blown away by the impressive response.
Within 24 hours she already had 1,000 hits and messages of support.
"I am so happy I managed to convey the message of hope and resilience, and uplift some people’s spirits," she said.
"It is a tough environment - we look after the sickest in the hospital. But I am coping well, I think because we know we are all in it together and everyone has been so dedicated.
"At the moment I think the spirit of teamwork is so strong in our unit and that’s what keeps us going.
"We are getting help from elsewhere so that is helping our unit to cope with the pressures at the moment."
The song was made famous by US singer Andra Day, who has said it signifies a message of perseverance during difficult times.
