A TYCROES florist has paid tribute to key workers after recovering from Covid-19.

Karen Jones, who runs Poppies on Tycroes Road, picked up the deadly disease during the peak of the pandemic.

Now she is recovering and back at work, Karen decided to give back to key workers in the only way she knew how - by giving away a bunch of flowers every week.

Just as the country was going into lockdown in March Karen started to feel unwell with some Covid symptoms - a cough, rapid drop in energy and itchy eyes.

As the condition worsened Karen was taken to hospital by ambulance after struggling to breathe.

She was tested and confirmed to have Covid-19.

Karen, who has suffered from two strokes and undergone heart surgery, said it was the worst experience of her life.

“I felt like I was being strangled and my jaw line hurt so much as I tried to take in oxygen to breathe,” she said. “My energy levels dropped dramatically and I struggled to walk - it was a really scary time.”

After making it through the ordeal Karen is now back at work following weeks of recovery.

Since April, Poppies has been giving away a bouquet of flowers to a nominated key worker every Saturday.

“I started it up when Covid-19 first hit,” said Karen.

“I have NHS workers in the family and heard first hand what they were going through.

“After coming down with Covid myself I wanted to repay and say thank you to the NHS by giving away a bouquet to a nominated person each week as a thank you.

“The response has been lovely and to see what it means to the recipient is so special. It is such a lovely feeling knowing that I have put a smile on someone’s face who is working so hard to help the rest of us.”

What initially started out as a thank you the NHS turned into a thank you to all key workers after Karen recognised the hard work of those in the community.

She said: “There are so many people who have made sacrifices and have continued to work throughout lockdown and beyond. I have recently given a bouquet to a grandmother who has looked after her grandchildren so her daughter - a key worker- was able to carry out her job.

“There are so many heroes out there doing all different kinds of jobs, this is Poppies way of saying thank you.”

Poppies will continue to support key workers throughout the pandemic.

If you would like to nominate someone visit the Facebook page.