Appeal for Edinburgh trainee nurse who died of Covid-19 more than doubles its £10,000 target

The healthcare worker’s grief-stricken children have received £20,000 of donations in outpouring of public support for the family.

Naggayi Angella, 42, was a mental health nursing student at Edinburgh Napier University.

Single mother Naggayi Angella, 42, was a mental health nursing student at Edinburgh Napier University, passed away from Covid-19 on Monday after being in a coma for two weeks.

Following the devastating loss, friends launched a fundraising campaign with the organisation Ubuntu Gla to help financially support Angella’s grieving children John Jeremiah Mugisha, eight, and Annmarie Yiga, 12.

Annmarie and John have written a touching tribute to their late mother as part of the fundraiser describing her as "irreplaceable" and "caring".

Naggayi Angella's children John Jeremiah Mugisha, eight, and Annmarie Yiga, 12. described their mum as "irreplaceable" and "caring".

Donations have poured in and the Go Fund Me page has surpassed its £10,000 target having raised £20,258 in under 48-hours.

Part of the money raised will go to fulfilling Angella’s last wish, to be buried near her home in Kampala in her native Uganda.

The remaining cash will be used to support the healthcare worker’s young children who are currently starting with a neighbour as they have no other family in the UK.

Priest Father Liam McMahon whose local church, St Michael’s, Angella visited daily said the youngsters would either return to Uganda or go to live with friends in London.

Angella, who worked part-time in community integrated care while studying at Napier University has been described as a “hardworking” student with a “great sense of humour”.

Professor Austyn Snowden who was the mother-of-two’s tutor said: “Angella was diligent, hardworking and tried her best at all times.

“I found her to be polite and self-deprecating but with a great sense of humour and, while clearly juggling many different priorities, she really wanted to be a nurse.

“I know she had a very strong faith too. We will miss her.”

In a statement released today a spokesperson from the Glasgow based organisation Ubuntu Gla, who are running the fundraiser, thanked everyone for their kind donations.

The statement read: “On behalf of the children, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity and have been astounded by how much has been raised in the past 48 hours. The wider community in Glasgow, including the children’s school, as well as people from across the world have continued to show their ongoing support and we cannot thank you enough.”

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