A ‘beautiful’, ‘kind’ and ‘passionate’ charity worker died of coronavirus on her 25th birthday, with well-wishers raising more than £10,000 in her memory for charity.
Claudia Marsh, who had suffered with an undisclosed eating disorder, died at the Royal University Hospital in Wirral, Merseyside.
Announcing her death, her heartbroken family set up a JustGiving page to collect donations for two charities she was involved with.
She became the ‘poster girl’ for the Whitechapel Centre charity and was involved with sorting and packing food and sleeping parcels.
The other charity, TEDS (Talking Eating Disorders), helped Claudia when she was diagnosed with her disorder.
So far, more than £10,000 has been raised on her behalf for the two charities.
It is unclear when exactly Claudia passed away from the virus, though the JustGiving page was set up three days ago.
Claudia Marsh who passed away at The Royal University Hospital, Liverpool, on her 25th birthday after succumbing to Covid-19. She volunteered for The Whitechapel Centre, a Liverpool based homeless charity
She is thought to have battle the virus for several days in hospital before her condition deteriorated.
The page reads: ‘In loving memory of our beautiful daughter and incredible sister, Claudia, who passed away at The Royal University Hospital, Liverpool, on her 25th birthday after succumbing to Covid-19.
‘In lieu of the family receiving flowers we would like to ask for donations towards two charities that Claudia was involved with and supported.’
David Roper, Whitechapel volunteer manager, said: ‘For all of us who worked alongside Claudia last summer, we will remember her energy, passion and commitment, and her wonderful sense of fun.
‘It is a terrible and shocking tragedy. Claudia will live on in the impact she had during the toughest crisis we have faced in recent memory, and her contribution to the life saving support we provide throughout this pandemic.
‘Claudia always put others before herself, focusing her energies into her volunteering and providing support to our service users.
‘She was also instrumental in bringing together our volunteer community, with her constant enthusiasm, friendliness and warmth.
‘A smile for everyone. She will be missed very much.’
On the JustGiving page, loved ones left heartfelt tributes to Claudia. Jo Goodman said she was ‘probably one of the last people’ to spend time with Claudia, as they shared a hospital ward.
Jo said: ‘I am probably one of the last people to spend time with Claudia, being next to her in hospital.
She (left) became the ‘poster girl’ for the Whitechapel Centre charity and was involved with sorting and packing food and sleeping parcels
‘I was devastated when she started to deteriorate, but tried to support her from my own bed.’
Another, Matthew Jones, commented: ‘I will never forget the memories and adventures we’d shared, you always put others first before yourself, and always knew how to make people laugh. Heartbroken.’
While a third, Ella Davis said: ‘I was lucky enough to know Claudia. She was such a beautiful, kind hearted and gentle soul.
‘Writing these words doesn’t quite seem real. Sending you all my love.’
Posting to their Facebook page, a spokesperson The Whitechapel Centre
said that: ‘Everyone who met her couldn’t help but be affected by her warmth, her energy, and her sense of fun.
‘Claudia always put others before herself and her memory will live on through the impact and contribution she made to our organisation.’
More than 240 people left kind words in the comments, Su Benson-Carson said: ‘Just heart breaking such a young life to have lost to the pandemic.
‘But how much of a difference to peoples life did Claudia do. Her mum and family would of been so immensely proud of their girl.
‘To the mum of Claudia so sorry for your heart breaking loss of your beautiful daughter who must have been a caring soul to do what she did at the Whitechapel, I’m sending deepest condolences to you.’
The family smashed their JustGiving target.