More than £16,000 has been raised for a young boy who lost his mother and grandmother to coronavirus days apart, as his father fights for his life in hospital.

Julianne Cadby, a 49-year-old employee in the NHS, died on Wednesday after testing positive for Covid-19, four days after her 84-year-old mother passed away due to the virus.

Her seven-year-old son, Evan, is being looked after by family members and Ms Cadby’s friends have set up a fundraising page for him, while his father Chris remains in hospital being treated for coronavirus.

“Myself and all of Julianne’s friends from year two St Bernadettes would like to help this family as much as we can, and ask you to please dig as deep as your pockets will allow for this lovely family who have endured the worst possible loss,” Natalie Lloyd-Hughes, who set up the fundraiser, wrote on the JustGiving page.

“To Julianne and Chris’s families and friends, we send our deepest condolences and pray for you at this sad time.”

The page has raised £16,847 by 6pm on Saturday, after originally setting a target of just £1,000.

Ms Cadby was a business manager at the specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services unit for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, where she had worked for 30 years.

“Julianne was a much loved member of our team, she was extremely warm and caring and would always make time to help and support colleagues,” a statement from the health board said.

“Her dedication shone through, playing a central role in all that we do in the service and her focus was always on ensuring we are delivering the best service we can for children and young people.”

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Ms Cadby is one of a number of NHS staff who have died during the UK’s coronavirus epidemic in recent weeks.

On Thursday, Matt Hancock, the health secretary, said the government had identified 27 NHS staff members who have died after contracting coronavirus, but the true total is thought to be much higher.