In this touching two-parter, we meet Lynda Wardley, a compassionate woman with a powerful story of love, loss, and resilience. Lynda, 59, opens up about her vibrant father, Robin, whom she lost to Covid in January 2021. In this first episode, she paints a vivid portrait of Robin, a meticulous maker and car enthusiast whose life was full of colour, intelligence, and energy.

Lynda’s childhood memories brim with moments by her dad’s side—perched on the hood of a car he was repairing, or packing a camping rucksack with precision, thanks to his RAF training. When Robin retired to France, he embraced life to the fullest, enjoying the thrill of fancy cars and French romances. However, Lynda also shares the difficult period when Robin's health declined due to dementia, leading to struggles with the French healthcare system and a painful journey to bring him back to the UK, where he thrived once again under familiar care.

The onset of the pandemic then brought new heartbreak. Robin, residing in a care home, was isolated from loved ones. Lynda fought tirelessly as part of the Rights for Residents campaign, advocating for patient-family connection and was ultimately able to be by her father's side in his final moments. She later found solace and solidarity in the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group, where she connected with Charles Persinger, a fellow member who would become her partner, bonded through shared loss and compassion.

Join us for an intimate journey with Lynda as she honours her father’s legacy, while next week’s episode reveals how her connection with Charles blossomed into something truly beautiful amidst grief.

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