Tributes paid to 'awesome' Sheffield carer who died of coronavirus, as grieving daughter criticises lack of PPE

An ‘awesome’ carer from Sheffield who ‘loved his job’ has died of coronavirus, leading his grieving daughter to criticise the lack of PPE for staff at care homes.
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Roy Shelton, who lived in Heeley but worked at a care home in West Yorkshire, died last Thursday, April 9, having been being rushed to hospital six days earlier after firefighters broke down his door to find him seriously ill inside.

The 60-year-old Sheffield United fan had worked as a carer for the best part of a decade and his daughter Marianne believes he contracted the virus at work.

Roy Shelton, from Heeley, Sheffield, died of coronavirus aged 60Roy Shelton, from Heeley, Sheffield, died of coronavirus aged 60
Roy Shelton, from Heeley, Sheffield, died of coronavirus aged 60
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The grandfather-of-one, who had three children with his late wife June, was due to marry Annette Wild, with whom his family said he was looking forward to starting a new life up in Gargrave, North Yorkshire, this August.

“He was an awesome dad and a brilliant man who didn’t have a bad bone in his body,” said Marianne.

“He was kind to everybody and enjoyed life to the full, and we all miss him so much.

“Dad loved his job and we’re so proud of him for doing what he did. Even with everything that was happening he still went out and did his job because he wanted to help those in need.

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Carers like my dad are dying because they’ve not been given the proper PPE (personal protective equipment) they need, and it’s not right.”

Roy was born and bred in Sheffield and before becoming a carer had worked as a bartender at the Golden Ball pub in the city centre and as a tram cleaner, among other jobs.

He was a keen footballer who refereed Sunday league matches; he loved karaoke, for a brief time travelling around the country setting up machines before belting out golden oldies on them; and he had a caravan in Skegness, where he spent many happy holidays with June.

Roy is survived by his fiancee, Annette Wild; his three children, Marianne, Dale and James; his grandson, Ryan; his younger brother, David; and his niece, Georgia.

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His family has asked for anyone wishing to make a donation in his memory to do so to a food bank or another charity of their choice.

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