A dad-to-be aged just 31 has endured a terrifying six-week fight for his life after being struck down with Covid.

Olly Toole, who had no underlying health conditions, was rushed to hospital when he began struggling to breathe days after testing positive for the virus.

As his condition deteriorated he was placed on a ventilator, and into a coma.

His partner Cheryl Waters, who is seven months pregnant with their first child, recalls the moment she visited his bedside to say her final goodbyes, saying: “It was the most horrific moment of my life.”

The couple had just bought their first home in Sturry, near Canterbury, when Olly fell ill.

A photo taken at a friend’s wedding just weeks before shows them smiling broadly, Olly proudly cradling Cheryl’s bump.

“If someone had told me then that he would be in hospital next month, I wouldn’t have believed it,” said Cheryl, 30.

The couple - who have been together seven years since meeting in a pub in Medway - moved into their home on December 8.

But Olly tested positive for Covid later that day.

He initially “had no energy” and spent a couple of days bed-bound, before developing a relentless cough.

By December 12, they decided to call an ambulance.

“He looked so grey and he just couldn’t breathe that well,” Cheryl recalls.

Cheryl says Olly has not had a Covid vaccine, but had every intention of getting the jab before he fell ill.

“He wanted to get the vaccine,” she said. “He was like ‘I’ll do it tomorrow’.”

Olly was taken to the QEQM Hospital in Margate where his condition remained stable for a couple of days.

But things took a turn when he developed clots on his lungs and was rushed into intensive care.

On Boxing Day morning, the hospital rang Cheryl to say they were putting Olly on a ventilator, and into a coma.

“He sounded so scared, because he knew what was happening...”

She was given “about five seconds” to speak to him.

“It was the most horrific phone call,” she said. “It was the phone call you never want to receive.

“He sounded so scared, because he knew what was happening.

“I think it’s everyone’s worst nightmare when going into hospital with Covid, that you’re going to be on a ventilator.”

But the following day, Cheryl was told the ventilator was not working and that Olly was to be placed on extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

“I think it’s everyone’s worst nightmare when going into hospital with Covid, that you’re going to be on a ventilator...”

The invasive treatment involves blood being pumped to a machine that removes carbon dioxide, and sends oxygen-filled blood back to the body.

Olly was taken to a special ECMO ward at St Thomas’ Hospital in London.

But on January 8, Cheryl received another devastating phone call.

“They didn’t think he was going to make it,” she said.

Having not seen her partner since he was taken from their home by ambulance, she was urged to head to the hospital to say her farewells.

“It was the most horrific moment of my life,” she said.

“To go in and have a doctor tell you they don’t think they can save your partner... it’s just horrific.”

Dressed in PPE, Cheryl was led through the ECMO ward to say goodbye to Olly, who was still in a coma.

“It was horrific to see so many people in that state - all men the same age as my partner,” she said. “They were all on full-on life support.”

Two days later, on January 11, surgeons inserted valves in Olly’s lung, in a last-ditch to keep it from collapsing and save his life.

“To go in and have a doctor tell you they don’t think they can save your partner... it’s just horrific...”

“They said if they can’t do it, there’s nothing left,” said Cheryl. “He couldn’t have a lung transplant as he’s too ill.”

Thankfully, the valves worked and his condition appears to be improving.

On January 15, Olly was given a tracheostomy to insert a breathing tube into his throat.

He is now being slowly woken from his coma.

“He’s still got such a long road ahead of him,” said Cheryl, who praises the “amazing” medics at the QEQM and St Thomas’.

“He got to learn to walk again, and to move his arms. All the muscles have gone.”

Doctors say Olly will not be able to work for “months and months”, and he is not expected to be out of hospital in time for his baby’s birth.

In the meantime, Olly is being paid statutory sick pay, which at just over £385 a month is far below his usual salary.

“It doesn’t even cover his part of the mortgage each month,” said Cheryl, who is due to give birth in March.

His sister, Hannah, has now set up a fundraiser to help Cheryl pay the mortgage.

“If more people knew how bad it can get, they would be running out to get the vaccine...”

“It is heartbreaking to think we’ve got our first house together and then that was ruined with Covid, and now we’re having our first child and that experience has been taken away,” said Cheryl.

“These times in life that are supposed to be great - it’s just been the worst time of our lives.”

Cheryl hopes Olly’s story will help encourage other people to take up the vaccine.

“At least if you’ve had it, then if you get seriously ill you know you’ve done everything that you can,” she said.

“If more people knew how bad it can get, they would be running out to get the vaccine.”

The fundraiser has so far raised nearly £4,600.

To donate, click here. www.gofundme.com/f/olly-cheryl-biscuit.