Devoted Hartlepool foster carer who looked after hundreds of children dies after contracting covid

Bryan Gowland, 75, sadly died on Saturday, November 28 after battling coronavirus in hospital.

The devoted foster carer from Catcote Road spent 36 years caring for children and young people in the town and remained active right up until he became unwell with Covid symptoms.

Bryan underwent a triple heart bypass 10 years ago but continued to live life to the full and loved nothing more than spending time with his family.

However, on November 7 he tested positive for Covid and was taken into the University Hospital of North Tees on November 9, where he was cared for until he passed away with wife June by his side.

Paying tribute to her husband, June,74, said: “I am proud of him. We had a good life together.

"He was a good husband and a good father.

"He had a good sense of humour and was a straight man who said what he thought.

“He was a character and he was loved by everybody.”

June, who is mum to Michael Gowland and Lesley Burton, said her husband was a ‘grafter’ who continued to work throughout his decades as a foster carer.

Formerly in the Navy, Bryan worked as a steelworks pipe inspector and then as a courier – a job he loved – before he retired.

The couple, who first met at a nightclub in Seaton, had just celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary in October.

Together, they have cared for hundreds of children and young people in Hartlepool.

June, a retired nurse, said the pair got into fostering after being unable to have any more children.

"We have been really happy doing it,” June said.

“We have had our ups and downs over the years but it has been really rewarding.”

June said she has been supported by the community and has received many messages from the foster children who were devastated to hear the sad news.

Neighbour Sarah Iley has also been a good support to the family during this difficult time.

Bryan and June have four grandchildren and are also grandparents to two of the children of those they had fostered.

"I’m doing OK because I have so many good people around me," June said.

“I have had several of the children we have cared for bringing me flowers and ringing me up. A lot of them still come back to see us."

June also praised the NHS for the care her husband received during his time in hospital.

“Bryan passed away at 3.30am and we were very fortunate to be able to be there in hospital with him.

“I could not fault the care at all. They looked after him really well and I have nothing but admiration for the staff.

"The day we went in, we had all the PPE equipment on to see him and it was absolute torture. The staff are totally amazing.”

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