THE family of a dedicated volunteer in Bolton have paid tribute to him and have thanked the NHS for their care after he contracted Covid-19.

John Franklin, 78, died at Royal Bolton Hospital on December 17.

Mr Franklin, who lived in Breightmet with wife Evelyn, gave his time to Bolton Conservation Group, The Wildlife Trust, and the Trust’s Men in Sheds group.

The grandfather also founded Friends of Seven Acres.

An inquest at Bolton Coroner’s Court yesterday heard how Mr Franklin had fallen onto a tree stump last November, and was hospitalised the following day with breathing difficulties. He was found to have three broken ribs and blood inside his lung cavity.

Doctors performed a chest drain, removing just over a litre of blood.

Mr Franklin was in a stable condition and after being observed for a couple of days was discharged on November 4.

Mrs Franklin said her husband didn’t make a fuss while he was in hospital, and after being discharged returned to an active lifestyle.

But he was readmitted to hospital on November 26 after a nurse practitioner suggested he might have fluid on his lungs.

On arrival he tested negative for Covid 19, but tested positive four days later.

Dr Sharmastha Saha, consultant anaesthetist, said Mr Franklin received antibiotics for a chest infection, and was due to be referred to the cardiothoracic team but then tested positive for Covid-19.

His condition deteriorated and on December 11 he was taken to critical care where he was put on non-invasive ventilation. On December 17 his family were allowed an end-of-life visit and he died with his wife and son by his side.

Dr Saha said given the dates of when Mr Franklin tested positive, it was unlikely he contracted the virus in hospital.

She added: “John suffered from two huge insults to his health, first his fall and the subsequent chest drain, then contracting Covid 19. Both of these are difficult for a person of that age to overcome separately, but it was too much for John to overcome together.”

Coroner Simon Nelson concluded the cause of death was respiratory failure as a result of Covid-19 and a pulmonary embolism. The fall and subsequent broken rips were given as a contributing factor.

Mr Nelson, describing Mr Franklin as “super stoical”, said: “The character and standing of the gentleman about whom we’ve been speaking today is exceptional and remarkable, he was a very active person.”

Paying tribute to her husband after the hearing, Mrs Franklin said: "He was a wonderful person, he never complained. He did so much volunteering, if he hadn’t have fallen or caught Covid he would still be out volunteering today.

“John was so selfless, he always thought of others and put them first.

“He was such a happy person, he had this expression PMA - positive mental attitude - which he would always say to me.

“We were together for 60 years, married for 57 and I have lots of fond memories with him.”

His son Stephen Franklin said: “He was a great father and I’ve been lucky to have him in my life.

“He loved volunteering but didn’t like people making a fuss of him.

“Dad was happiest when he was doing things for others, whether it was volunteer groups or mowing neighbour’s lawns, he loved making other people happy.”

Eighty trees have been planted in memory of Mr Franklin at Seven Acres Country Park.

A spokesman for Bolton Conservation Volunteers (BCV): “John wasn’t just a volunteer, he was a shoulder anyone could lean on.

“You didn’t even need to ask, he’d just be there ready to listen to any problem you had.

“He’d encourage and support, and not judge. You couldn’t know John and not like him, John found many friends in BCV.

“John was someone whose friendship and humanity should be aspired to by everyone.

“His loss is a tragedy for his family, friends, the community and all who knew him.

“Love and condolences to John’s family, we are all thinking of you.”