Tributes paid to 'larger than life' Singleton NHS worker and father-of-six ahead of his funeral

The father-of-six, who lived in Singleton with his wife Samantha, was just 50 when he died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital from a sudden heart attack. His wife and six children weren't able to see him due to coronavirus measures.

Jason was the chief information officer for Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, a role based in Blackpool.

He has been described by NHS colleagues as 'larger than life' and a 'great friend'.

Tribute and fundraising pages have been set up and hundreds of messages have been left and more than £7,000 has been raised for his family.

A team of digital colleagues and friends including Scott Andrew, healthcare industry director for Dell, Kate Warriner, chief digital and information officer at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and Dave Smith, chief information officer at Bridgewater NHS Trust, all worked together to start the page to help Jason’s family who were left shocked by his sudden passing.

Scott, who had known Jason for more than ten years, said: "He was just the most easy person you would come across and he always had time to talk to you and support his friends and colleagues. It's was really interesting to hear back how many people he had spoken to within the week he had died and how shocked they were. He wasn't just in contact with people across the NHS but also the network within."

Kate added: "He was a really kind and lovely guy and was very caring. He just wanted to do the right thing for people and gave his time, talent and skills to help the organisations he worked with but also the wider community as well.

Dave described Jason as 'larger than life' and said his death has had an impact on his NHS colleagues.

He said: "I think everyone has been truly shocked by this. I was in contact with him on a daily basis professionally but also personally through phone calls with a bit of humour as well.

"The main thing now is to support Sam and the children who have been left devastated by his death."

Scott said it should have been Jason's first wedding anniversary on June 8 and added that the funding pages have been set up to support his wife and children and give them something back as well as the hundreds of messages left.

Jason began his career in Blackpool and later moved on to Warrington and Halton NHS. After six years he left the NHS and joined financial consultancy Deloitte before returning to the NHS in February.

His funeral will take place at 2.30pm today at Lytham Crematorium but due to the coronavirus pandemic, only ten people will be allowed to attend.

Jason's family have asked if his friends and colleagues can form a guard of honour along the road leading to the crematorium .

Any one wishing to attend should arrive by 2pm, so as to not delay the service, and to strictly adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Anyone who wants to donate to the fund can go to here and to leave a tribute go to jasondacosta.muchloved.com