A TEACHER from Newton Abbot is turning the grief of losing her beloved father to Covid-19 into her inspiration to help children who suffer loss.

Paige Bassett, from Highweek, will be running the Plymouth Half-Marathon in September in memory of her dad, Fudge Bassett.

Paige told the Mid-Devon Advertiser: ‘Sadly, at the start of the year we lost my Dad, Fudge Bassett, to COVID-19, a fit man who contracted the virus and sadly died at home on January 16, leaving me (28) Clark my brother (25) and my Mum, Jane, who he was married to for 31 years.

‘Our lives quite literally fell apart.

‘I have decided to run the Plymouth Half Marathon in memory of him in September. I am a keen runner!

‘I have chosen the charity Winston’s Wish.

‘This charity supports children who are experiencing loss.

‘I wanted to give a little back, as I received brilliant counselling that supported my grief.

‘My Dad was a very popular Newton Abbot man, a great goalkeeper for Spurs (one of the best some would say!!), a loving husband and a doting Dad.

‘I wanted to raise as much awareness as possible (that counselling is a brilliant and worthy tool) and try and give something back by raising money.’

‘Our whole world changed overnight, leaving a hole that won’t ever be filled.

‘He was only 61– so young. He was fit and well too.

‘He tested positive for COVID and then collapsed, he died at home on January 16th.

‘He really was the best, a proper lovely local man, that no one had a bad word to say about! He was a sports fanatic and shared this passion with my brother, Clark. We were all very close.

‘I am not ashamed to say that, I have received the most amazing bereheavment counselling to support my overwhelming emotions and come to grips with losing my Dad.

‘I’ve had some real lows that have almost crippled me. The counselling taught me techniques to deal with my own emotions and understand what grief is.’

She is Early Years Foundation Stage Lead at St David’s C of E Primary School in Exeter.

Paige wanted to thank everyone who has supported the family. She said: ‘I don’t need to name names, some people have been our guiding light and been there day and night, you have made this heartbreaking journey slightly easier.

‘We are forever in your debt.’

‘A final special shout out to my Mum, Clark, Payner and Mol for being the best family network possible.

‘We were a team of six, now we are a team of five and what a team we are! I love them so much and Dad would be so proud of all of us.’

Paige set herself the target of raising £500 and has already raised £1,451 (will need checking next week).

You can support Paige’s fundraising efforts by visiting her GoFund me page at https://gofund.me/1ea6573f