After 73 days in intensive care, the longest of any Covid-19 patient at Sunderland Royal, retired lifeguard Ray Connor is now continuing his recovery from the virus and fighting to get back to his best after a "stormy journey" in hospital.
Ray, 67, and from Peterlee, has spent months in hospital - and was first moved to ICU at the hospital on January 10. He's required a ventilator, had a series of infections and even suffered multiple organ failure. But now he's on the mend and continuing rehab as he looks to get back home with his wife Marjorie. His illness was especially shocking as, before catching Covid-19, Ray was fit and well, and would swim three times a week.
The father-of-five spent two months in a coma and his family were called in no less than three times to say their final goodbyes when it was feared he would not make it. However, his luck changed - and after boons including a chippy tea on the rehab ward he's now recovering in a care home before hopefully returning home properly when he has regained his strength.
