THE family of a local nurse who died of the coronavirus have announced that his funeral will be broadcast live at the end of the month.

Gareth Roberts, 65, was a well-respected nurse in the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board for over thirty years, He died earlier this month, making him the health board’s second staff casualty of the virus after a well-respected senior heart surgeon, Jitendra Rathod died at the University Hospital of Wales.

Mr Roberts’ death has raised questions about the early provisions of personal protective equipment (PPE) for NHS staff at Llandough Hospital, where he worked during the weeks before he died.

Last week, his childhood friend, Janette Leonard, said she believed he had contracted the virus there because he was not given PPE.

According to Ms Leonard, Mr Roberts worked over 300 hours during the month before he became ill.

The Cardiff and Vale Heath Board have said they will investigate the availability of PPE in their facilities.

A fundraising page set up by Ms Leonard for her friend’s family had raised over £10,000 from 542 donors at the time of writing.

Some of this money will be used to pay for Mr Roberts funeral, which will be live streamed on Wednesday, April 29, at 9.30am.

Mr Roberts leaves behind his wife Linda, son Ceri and 16 year old grandson Zac, whom he and Linda raised after their son Dean passed away several years ago.

The family would like to invite those who knew Gareth to join the livestream at: wesleymedia.co.uk/webcast-view

To donate to their fundraising page, visit: gofundme.com/f/for-the-family-of-gareth-roberts-rgn