FOR months Richelle Walsh’s smiling face concealed a deep personal secret from her customers at Oldham's only main line railway station in Greenfield.

The hugely popular customer care assistant is the holder of a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the rail industry and the community of Oldham and locally she received a prestigious Above and Beyond award for going the extra mile supporting villagers.

But unbeknown to her loyal patrons, braveheart Richelle’s husband, Trevor, had contracted coronavirus.

And for 54 agonising days he, his wife and a dedicated team at the Royal Oldham Hospital's intensive care unit (ICU) fought an unrelenting battle against the intrusive killer.

Now returned to his Chadderton home, the couple have revealed their daily struggle and resolute determination to combat the deadly disease.

Trevor, a type two diabetic, was initially sent home for shielding by his employers Northern Rail where he is a rail dispatcher at Salford Central station.

“I would go for a daily walk and kept myself to myself,” he said. “After a week at home I began to feel unwell, but I had none of the symptoms described by the World Health Organisation - a cough and a temperature.

“By the third week I felt like I had a bad case of flu. I still didn’t have a cough or a temperature and didn’t want to go to hospital because of the virus going about.

“On Easter Sunday, April 12, I took a shower ... Richelle recalls my cheeks were purple and I was slurring my words. She called an ambulance and staff immediately put me on an oxygen mask. That is the last thing I actually remember ...”

Richelle, 53, had to self-isolate from work for two weeks but showed no symptoms of the virus and even had a negative swab test before returning to work.

Her personal ordeal heightened when she was asked by the medical team if Trevor’s heart failed they could put a DNR (do not resuscitate) on his notes.

She said: “I agreed but with the promise they would do everything they could and would continue to look after him the best they could. By Wednesday the DNR had been removed and it was hoped he would recover.”

Neither Richelle or any family - they each have two children from a previous marriages - were allowed to visit. However, everyday she received two telephone calls from the medics giving detailed updates which she passed to family and friends.

Trevor said: “The intensive care staff were, and are, amazing. They looked after me to the highest degree, and kept Richelle informed which gave her great comfort.

“As time progressed Richelle was able to have video calls with me, and although I was asleep she was able to talk to me and play music which the staff said I could hear.

“Richelle was also asked to send in emails and pictures on a daily basis, and some cheered the staff up as they were reading them to me.

“The photographs helped me immensely when I woke up. They were pictures of my children, grandchildren and family who were all praying for me, willing me to get better

“I had been fitted with tracheostomy which remained in place until I was completely weaned off the oxygen. A voice box was connected to the tracheostomy and I was able to talk again.

The Oldham Times:

“It was the nicest thing being able to call Richelle and speak to her over the phone... very emotional but in a good way.

“After I was waved out of ICU by the staff on June 4, I began to feel very lonely and isolated. By the following Monday, June 8, I really did want to go home.

“I pleaded with the staff, who agreed my mental health was beginning to deteriorate and decided it would be better if I did go home sooner rather than later.

“ I called Richelle to say I was coming home (another emotional conversation). At 5pm I was home with a zimmer walking frame and a toilet seat.

“I sat in my front room I had left eight weeks previously now watching TV with my wife. It was like being in heaven.”

Since his release from hospital, Trevor has had intensive physiotherapy at home but he said candidly: “My memory is struggling. Passwords and numbers are difficult to recall and remember. Anxiety and nightmare/flashbacks are all symptoms of being in a coma.

“I have had dreams about Bradley Walsh - we think this is because The Chase was on TV in the ward. I have had nightmares about being in a prison cell or being locked in a room.

"There is no guarantee I won’t get this virus again which is extremely frightening. Although I have survived it once, I really wouldn’t want to go through it again or put my family through it.

“I am looking forward to going back to work but I still have a few obstacles to overcome.”

He added resolutely: “I have to remain positive but I would plead with people to take this virus seriously.

“Remember, even if you don’t have symptoms you may still be carrying the virus and passing it on to your older family members. Your actions today could kill somebody you love tomorrow. Please keep this in mind.”