Battler Jimmy has the heart of a lion

Elated Joey Needham summed up his father's determined seven-week battle against Covid-19 by saying simply: 'He’s a lion'.

The 29-year-old was speaking after pictures of Jimmy Needham being wheeled out of Royal Oldham's ICU, accompanied by a team of applauding health workers, went viral on social media.

Mr Needham senior, a former pub landlord, is a widely-respected character in Oldham and a talented musician.

Delighted Joey said: “My amazing dad has come off ICU today onto a ward after kicking Covid-19s' arse!

“He truly is my absolute hero and I could not be more proud.

"There is only one Jimmy ‘The Lion’ Needham.”

Joey added joyfully: “A massive thank you to the NHS staff who have saved his life. 

"They are absolute heroes who deserve all the praise and credit in the world.

"My heart is absolutely in my mouth.”

Later Joey, who owns his own kitchen fitting business, said: “My dad is now doing physiotherapy every day and he’s coming on leaps and bounds.

"As soon as he can walk he can come home.”

He revealed Mr Needham senior still has a simple handstitched heart-shaped keepsake which are helping to  Oldham families united  during the coronavirus epidemic.

“Yes he’s still got his heart and my Nan, Nora, who is my dad's mother and aged 90, still has the other one,” he confirmed. 

"The response on Facebook to my dad's illness has been outstanding. 

"I have had over 2,000 messages from people sending their love and best wishes for him and it has restored my faith in humanity how kind everyone has been to me and my family.”

A team of volunteer knitters have provided the hearts to Oldham Royal Hospital where one heart stays with patients in ICU.

The other heart is sent with a letter to families prevented from visiting their loved one because of government restrictions.

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