A coach at the Tottenham Hotspur Academy and captain of the Guyana football team has donated thousands to help fund more Covid-19 equipment at hospitals.

The former Spurs player, Sam Cox, set out to raise money for local hospitals including Northwick Park Hospital and Watford General Hospital, as a form of continued gratitude for doctors rescuing his mother nearly ten years ago.

In 2011, after he was signed to Barnet FC, his mother contracted a rare interstitial lung disease and was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit at Northwick Park.

Mr Cox, who currently lives in Elstree, said that he thought he was having a nightmare as he could hear his mother struggling for breath.

She was placed in an induced coma at the hospital and remained there for fourteen weeks.

Enfield Independent:

Sam Cox (left) and his mother (right)

Now, the Guyana captain managed to raise over £5,000 as a call back to a similar fundraiser he previously did to thank the hospital for saving his mum.

At the time of her recovery, Mr Cox raised money by cutting his “trademark” long hair which reached his shoulders.

Enfield Independent:

Sam Cox previously cut his hair to raise money as a thank you to the hospital

But now, he has done the opposite by growing his hair back to its previous length – raising enough money for more Covid-19 equipment including a new rehabilitation chair for the Intensive Care Unit.

Mr Cox said: “With the money raised from my Just Giving page at the start of lockdown, I donated a cheque to the staff at Northwick Park Hospital.

“The money will be used to help fund more Covid-19 equipment including a new rehabilitation chair on the Intensive Care Unit.

“I’d just like to thank everyone once again for your kind contributions and helping us reach our target.

And a massive, massive, thank you to all the fantastic NHS staff across the UK for all you have done throughout the coronavirus pandemic. So much love.”

Enfield Independent:

Sam Cox has now donated money to support the NHS

Previously speaking about his mothers’ condition, he said: “Till this day, they can’t pinpoint how she contracted the disease.

“Everyone in our family owes an awful lot to the NHS, without them she was pretty much a goner.

“Seeing my mum in that state, especially after never seeing her ill, it scared me.

“She can’t do things as normal as she used to – walking one step on the stairs is equivalent for us walking seven – but she can still get about.”

He continued: “I thought with everything going on I should repay the heroic work the NHS are doing who as they put countless hours at fighting the virus.

“I think it’s evident the graft they’re putting in, their blood, sweat and tears – I’m hugely grateful and thankful.”