A son has paid tribute to his mother who passed away from coronavirus last week.

Linda Tuppen, 66, battled the virus for several days but sadly died in her home on Saturday 28 March.

Her son Robert, 28, had tested positive for the virus a few days before and her younger son James, 23, is recovering from the virus in hospital.

Robert said: “She adored me and my brother, she did everything for us. She always looked out for her friends. My mum and dad used to run a nursery and she kept in touch with all those people, she had such an impact on their lives.

“Last year there were a few break ins in our area so my mum and her friends formed the Astley Bridge Neighbourhood Watch. They ran that and she helped organise meetings and events.

“I looked at all the tributes on Facebook, she had a massive effect on everyone.

“She was the best mum, she did everything for me and my brother, she did all the washing and ironing and couldn’t do enough for us. I play rugby at Bolton Rugby club and she would ask me when I was playing, rain or shine she would be there with her little chair.

“She was a really good mum, our dad passed away in 2008 and she shielded us from that. She helped me and my brother get through it.

“She was in relatively good health, she did have asthma and osteoporosis. But she was pretty well and active, she was always pottering about the house and did all the shopping.

“I’ve been speaking to my mum’s cousin, my ‘auntie’ and she’s in touch every day, making sure we’re ok. I’ve had support from work, they’ve been in touch every day. All my mates have been sending messages.

“Take it seriously because it could happen to anyone, at any time. People are acting as if its a holiday, still going out and meeting friends. All it takes is for one of them to catch it and pass it on to a parent or grandparent and go through the same tragedy. It's not a joke.”

Tom Atkinson, the chairman of Astley Bridge Neighbourhood Watch, was a close friend of Linda who volunteered as vice-chair of the organisation.

Following her death he set up a fundraising page to help support Linda's family during this difficult time.

Initially he set a target of £1000 but the page has been overwhelmed with donations and has raised £3,748 so far.

Tom said: "I just want to thank everyone who has donated, reading all the lovely comments left by everyone made me tear up.

"We set a target of £1000 at first but we have smashed it and I can see by the end of this raising a lot of money to support Linda's two children at this god awful time.

"Just goes to show when you give so much to the community, the community gives back."

To make a donation visit the Go Fund Me page.