Exclusive
BOOMERGRAN!
Great-great-gran, 100, beats coronavirus after also surviving heart attacks, measles, whooping cough and scarlet fever
A GREAT-great gran aged 100 told of conquering Covid-19 after also surviving heart attacks, scarlet fever, measles, whooping cough, diphtheria and flu.
Gutsy Rose Heeley has been likened to a boomerang by her family — because she always comes back.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
She gave the thumbs up after winning her 18-day hospital battle with the coronavirus.
Earlier, she did a jig in her wheelchair as doctors and nurses clapped and rang a bell.
Showing true grit, she arrived back at her bungalow, put the kettle on and settled down to watch one of her John Wayne films.
She told The Sun: “Everything I’ve done, everything I’ve seen and what I’ve learnt has always been through hard work and sheer grit. I wasn’t about to let this beat me. This coronavirus has been the worst thing ever. It was truly awful, frightening. But nothing bothers me.”
Rose’s grand-daughter Tracey Appleyard, 49, said: “She’s our little boomerang — she never fails to come back with a vengeance.
“We were all so worried about her having the virus but we knew she was in safe hands and would come out dancing.
“She’s been through it all — scarlet fever, measles, whooping cough, diphtheria and flu. She just gets back up.”
'MADE OF GRIT'
Rose worked in factories in her home city Sheffield during and after World War Two.
Tracey, added: “She was born in 1919 as a premature baby and could fit into a pint pot. She’s seen and done so much in her life. She’s had two heart attacks and has angina.
“She’s also had two knee replacements — the first at 90 and the second at 92 — but she keeps on going.
“She swears by a cup of tea with a drop of whisky and a ginger nut every day.”
Battling Rose also gave a message to the nation.
She said: “To the British people I say this — don’t let it get you down.
“There’s nowt to get you down if you’re British. We had it in the war where we had to go without this and we had to go without that.
“We had one pair of shoes between us and we shared them.
“This is nothing like war-time. It’s a plague and just as it came it will go and everything will be better.”
Mum-of-four Rose, who has 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandkids, fell ill at the start of last month. She was taken to the city's Northern General Hospital days later as her condition deteriorated.
Give now to The Sun's NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £1MILLION for NHS workers. The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid-19 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £50,000 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM. No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here: .
Son Roger, 73, said: “We were very worried but if anybody could get through it, she could — because she just doesn'’t give in.
“She's only small, five foot and a bit, but she’s made of grit.
“She's just so strong willed and as tough as old boots. She’s determined to go on for as long as possible.
MOST READ IN NEWS
“She’s a wonder woman. You can’t believe some of the things she’s done, seen, come through.
“And then she has a laugh and a joke about it. When they wheeled her out of the ward. she had a little dance in the wheelchair.”
Professor Chris Morley, chief nurse at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "She's an extraordinary lady.” Matron Katie Ashton said: “She has an amazing spirit and it was so uplifting to be able to clap her out of the ward on discharge.”
Recovery so sweet
MALTESERS and Chocolate Eclair sweets boosted a great-gran’s recovery.
Kathleen McKay, 83, of Leyland, Lancs, was in hospital for eight days.
Daughter Dee Price, 54, said: “When eating Maltesers, it was a sign she was getting better. The doctor said the chocolate was keeping her going.”
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW
Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun's Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, .
To follow us on Facebook, simply .
Get Britain's best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day - .
Michael Gove announces 315 more coronavirus deaths in daily briefing as death toll hits 28,446
- GOT a story? Ring The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or email [email protected].
Topics