'If I hadn’t got Covid, I would probably be dead': Doctors tell Sunderland veteran virus saved his life

Former soldier and football coach Steve Hope was hospitalised on January 10 after contracting Covid-19 and pneumonia, and went on to spend the next five weeks in the care of medical professionals.

During his time in hospital, the 63-year-old from Hendon fought off various infections, however tests revealed that he had a leaking valve close to his heart and is now waiting for an operation.

Steve has told the Echo about his ordeal and revealed that if it wasn’t for Covid-19, he might not be here today.

He said: “I had a bad cough and with my wife, Christine, working in healthcare, she phoned an ambulance for me and I was rushed into hospital.

"It was revealed that I had Covid and pneumonia, along with heart disease which I never knew anything about before going in.

"The doctors didn’t think that I would make it, however I managed to pull through and was told that if I hadn’t got Covid, I would probably be dead because of my heart.

”Covid nearly killed me, it has killed many others however at the same time, it has also saved my life.”

Steve’s recent health battle is not the first time that he has diced with death, he previously spent six months in the Freeman Hospital after suffering from an aortic aneurysm, which caused his main artery in his heart to burst and permanent nerve damage in his left leg.

The dad-of-five battled back to walk again after doctors declared that he would most likely be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life and despite the experience, Steve is still looking to the future.

He added: “I’ve went through all of this and yet I’ve still managed to survive once again, by rights, I should not be here but I’m fighting everyday.

"I think that it’s the ex-soldier in me that gives me the heart to carry on.

"I had the choice of where to have my upcoming operation and I’ve selected the Freeman Hospital, they have already saved my life once and they are going to do it again.”

Support your Echo and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on SAFC and new puzzles every day.

With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Click here to subscribe.