A Dudley family are still struggling to come to terms with the loss of a fit and healthy 48-year-old who died of Covid.

But the Bhogal family are also finding comfort in the fact that a fundraising appeal launched to set up an educational trust for his children has shot up past £9,000.

Satnam Bhogal, who lived in the Buffery park area, was well known in the town as a delivery driver and the life and soul of many local parties as a DJ.

He was taken into Russells Hall Hospital in early January with breathing difficulties after contracting Covid and was placed on a ventilator in the Intensive Care Unit.

But as older brother Purdy explained, Satnam was a ‘fit guy.’

“He had no underlying health issues. He carried a little bit of weight, but nothing major. As a delivery man with Hermes in Halesowen he was jumping out of his van and running up and down the street.

“The consultant said his heart was good.”

All seemed to be going well a week into his hospital stay as the amount of oxygen he was being given was reduced and the family were talking positively of when they would be able to go to see him.

But overnight Purdy got the message that his younger brother had deteriorated, his lungs had collapsed and he had suffered two heart attacks.

Satnam died on January 15, leaving a wife, Surpriya, and three children, Danny, 20, Simran, 11, and Ria, 5.

It was the start of some ‘very dark days’ for Purdy, his mother Gurmit, and the other brother and sisters, Nirmal, Brinderjit and Baljeet.

Having not been able to visit him until being called in at his death, the family could then not carry out the normal Sikh funeral rituals, had to grieve separately during lockdown, and his funeral was limited.

But news of Satnam’s death prompted family, friends and the local community to rally round.

Satnam’s friend Indy Mandair came up with the idea of fundraising for his children and a crowdfunderpage was launched with the help of Mandeep at a target of £1,000.

It took less than 90 minutes to smash that, and is now approaching the £10,000 mark.

“I have found out so much about my brother since he passed away,’ said Purdy. “About how much he was loved and respected.

“We’re very grateful. He is so sadly missed. The good die young.”

Ironically, their mother Gurmit received her vaccination last week, and Purdy wonders why delivery men like Satnam – ‘soldiers on the front line in a biological war’ – were not offered the vaccination.

Purdy pays special thanks to his wife, Sati, brother-in-law Bal and cousin Hardial for their support through his ‘dark period’ and says Satnam’s death should act as a warning to others.

“This can happen to anyone – and believe me, I would not wish this on anyone.”

The fundraising page is at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/satnambhogal