Sheffield United superfan battling coronavirus 'truly humbled' by support from fellow Blades

Carol Donaldson, who set up the popular Blade2Blade Facebook group with Julie Pratt 15 months ago, has been inundated with messages from its 8,000-plus members wishing her a speedy recovery after she was admitted to the Northern General Hospital last Friday.

The former nurse from Waterthorpe today said she still felt weak but was on the road to recovery and hoped to return home this afternoon, though she will continue to receive one-to-one care.

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“I’m overwhelmed by the messages I’ve had from fellow Blades fans. They’ve really helped me through. Without them I was sinking,” she said.

“I’ve been too sick to answer them all but I want to say a big thank you to everyone for their kind words, which have meant so much. I’m truly humbled. What a family to have behind you.”

Carol told how she first began feeling ill around 11 days ago, when she woke up feeling ‘so tired’ despite usually having bundles of energy.

Her condition declined and by Thursday night last week she was struggling to breathe and says it felt like someone was sitting on her chest.

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She was rushed to the Northern General the following morning, where she has been given oxygen, and she said the staff had done a ‘marvellous’ job of looking after her.

“I still feel shocking, very weak and short of breath but I can feel I’m getting there,” she added.