Children say their final goodbyes to dad Allen on Facetime
THE heartbroken children of a County Durham taxi driver who died of coronavirus said their final goodbyes on Facetime.
Allen Linsley, 53, of Newton Aycliffe, was in hospital after going through a long battle to recover from heart surgery that had left him on life support.
After pulling through, Allen was in rehab recovering but tragically took unwell after contracting coronavirus and was rushed to the intensive care unit.
Allen’s five children were given the devastating news that their dad would not pull through.
His children – Matthew, 28, Jonathan, 26, Aidan, 23, Paige, 16, and Noah, 9 – said their final goodbyes to their loving dad via video call as they were not allowed to visit.
Family friend Lisa O’neilgammage, 39, said: “He went into hospital last year for surgery on a torn aorta and was put on life support then.
“He had quite a hard time but recovered and was transferred to Bishop Auckland General Hospital for rehab.
“He contracted coronavirus and was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital and was in the intensive care unit.
“They have now have tablets so family can Facetime relatives. His family spoke to him before the ventilator was switched off.”
She added: “It is such heart breaking times after he had fought so gallantly and come so far.”
Allen was a well-known taxi driver in the Newton Aycliffe area, and was popular with passengers. Lisa added: “Everyone who met him smiled. He was the absolute life and soul of the party.
“He would talk the hind legs off a donkey, was scooter, camper and kids mad with the biggest and most caring heart. No one had a bad word to say about him.”
Now Lisa has launched a fundraising campaign to help Allen’s children give him the send off he deserves.
She said: “We want to show Al’s kids and family how much we all loved him and how very sorely he is going to be missed.
“They must some how organise and pay for Allen’s final journey home.
“His amazing family and children of which he was so immensely proud, are hoping to give him the best they can in these difficult and painful times.
“We want to help them make his final journey home the best they can give him.”
To donate to the fundraising campaign visit https://bit. LY/2WDCKFC