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A 26-year-old man who was induced into a coma after contracting Covid-19 has completed a charity cycle ride to raise funds for the hospital that saved his life.
Andrew Unwin, from Dartford, first fell ill with the virus in April after he experienced difficulties breathing.
He was blue-lighted to Darent Valley Hospital where a CT scan revealed he had suffered a punctured lung and was given a ventilator to support his breathing.
"From there I just deteriorated. I just went down hill so rapidly," Andrew said.
His own rapid decline came as a shock to the Met police detention officer who, although asthmatic, regularly swam and played sport before contracting the disease.
Despite the hospital's best efforts Andrew's condition continued to worsen and he was soon transferred to an ITU ward.
Eventually he was induced into a coma for 10 days to give his body the chance to rest and fight off the infection.
"My world just came to a shuddering halt," he said.
"That was by far the scariest moment having to ring my wife... I didn't know if I'd wake up".
It was later revealed he had suffered two punctured lungs and wife Emma and his family "were told to prepare for the worst".
But Andrew refused to give up the fight and remarkably started to recover.
"I just remember the anesthetist saying take deep breaths," he said. "Two weeks later I woke up."
Throughout the ordeal Andrew says the vision of being home once again with his family kept him going, adding "I just wanted to get home and have a cuddle with my wife."
A few days into his recovery he was able to walk with the assistance of a zimmer frame, and a little while after managed to venture to the end of the hall unaided.
Andrew, who is back working for the Met on reduced hours, is aware his recovery from the deadly disease is not over and continues his recovery from home.
The 26-year-old has taken up cycling as he aims to get himself fit and healthy as the nation braces for a second wave.
Last Saturday Andrew and dad Derek underwent a charity cycle ride together to raise funds for the ITU ward he credits with saving his life.
The pair set off from the hospital in Dartford on a 35 mile round trip to the 02 in Greenwich, and back - completing the feat in just over three hours.
They were seen off by friends and families and even received a special visit from a critical care nurse named Charlie who had treated Andrew and had come on her day off to see him.
"Seeing her again for the first time was quite emotional and saying thank you," he said.
"When we arrived back we had my wife and mum and a handful of nurses from ICU and the high dependency unit. That was the icing on the cake really."
Andrew has reaped both the physical and mental benefits of cycling and now plans to take on the London to Brighton bike ride next year.
He added that he hopes sharing his story will help others, adding "it's not just old people, so I think it is good to put that out there".
Andrew's wife Emma said: "We cannot thank you all at Darent Valley enough for what you have done. Especially the staff in Laurel Ward and ICU."
Together Andrew and Derek have raised more than £2,000 for the Valley Hospital charity. To donate click here.
For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here.
