Critical care nurse Zoe is one of our Peterborough heroes

Zoe is an intensive care nurse at Peterborough City Hospital.

During the coronavirus outbreak she sent her children to her parents to keep them safe for 12 weeks and possibly longer to do her bit .

She has been working extremely long hours doing her bit for the country . She also celebrated her 40th birthday during lockdown and deserves a medal for everything she has done all these years for the NHS

One of those who nominated Zoe said: “Zoe had to leave her children due to being at risk of catching the infection and she has cried so many tears but has still carried on working hard.

“She is a single parent so her children are with their grandparents. She turned 40 this month but had no celebrations. Her face looked so sore from the mask. Being a mum of six I can’t imagine a day without seeing them, especially at times like this when we have all been reminded just how precious life is.

“She is a true hero in my eyes. She is such a lovely mum, and to miss them for all of this time to help others is just amazing.”

The PT first featured Zoe’s story when she contacted us to say that her youngsters, aged eight and four, deserved special praise for coping so well living with grandparents to allow their mum to do extra shifts.

Zoe said: “I wanted to say my children are my heroes.

“Phoebe (8) and Milo (4) - I miss them so much but am so proud of how well they’re doing with all this, living with nanny and grandad and even auntie Michelle, who moved in three weeks ago to help with the children, while I do extra shifts at work.

“You are my heroes and I can’t wait to have lots of cuddles when this is all over.

“I’d also like to say a thank you to my parents, Pauline and Stephen Gray, for looking after my children and my sister Michelle Gray and my beautiful 23-month-old niece Lucy.”

Zoe said that children like hers whose parents had been working extra shifts and staying away from them to allow them to supportthe NHS fight against coronavirus deserve special praise.

She also said her mother and sister had been busy every day making special headbands for use at the hospital in helping ease the pressure of protective headgear on nursing teams.

Zoe added: “My mum and sister have been making head bands for the staff to help hold masks to prevent sores for lifetime through the wearing of these. The support from my family has been amazing and from the community of Eye where I live.

“I also want to say a special thank you to my close friends, they know who they are, keeping me positive and going in these hard times too.

“My special thanks to all my extended colleagues in the NHS and especially all my colleagues on the critical care unit in Peterborough.”

Zoe said she had contacted the PT after seeing our #HealthHeroes campaign because she wanted to ensure children,families and friends also got recognition.

She added: “The reason I want to do this is for a keepsake for my children, to help them remember when they are older how brave they have been and how proud of them I am.”