37460 people have now died from Covid19. I want to tell you a little bit about one of them, my dad, Nassar, who died yesterday.

On paper he was your typical Asian dad- grumpy, ambitious for his children and a lover of sweet food. But he was more than that, he was a pioneer.

Nassar was born in Canning Town in the 60s. As you can imagine, it wasn’t easy being a Pakistani kid in East London then. He worked hard and was the first person in our family to finish school and go to university.

He became a radiographer and dedicated decades to the NHS and helping other people. Soon he was in management and was able to give 100s of people the first start in their careers.

Nassar was a hands-on dad. He was the best at bed-tucking-in, got the duvet right underneath you.

He read us stories, nursed us when we were sick and taught us how to ride our bikes. He made sure we supported West Ham and took us to matches, making sure we got kebab rolls from Green Street afterwards.

He was so proud of his children. He used to “joke” that I was going to be Labour’s Preeti Patel! He was chuffed when I stood for election and used to knock on people’s doors (when he was meant to be leafletting!) to tell them to vote for his daughter.

We had a special relationship. We didn’t say it much to each other but there was so much love between us. A sort of atmosphere of love, my husband says that other people could just sense it when they saw us together. My mum says that it’s because we’re so similar. She’s right.

My dad leaves behind my wonderful mum, me and my brother, and three cats. The cats have already been missing their daily Punjabi lessons over breakfast with Nassar, I’m not sure anyone is willing to take over his 5.30am chores though!

His staff and colleagues at the private hospital he worked at in Kent all miss him. They had me and my mum in tears with the beautiful Get Well card they sent. We were glad to read that we weren’t the only ones subjected to his awful jokes!

My dad wasn’t going to die anyway, as I’ve heard people talk about Covid victims. He had life left to live, a retirement to begin and enjoy, grandchildren to meet. He will be forever missed.

So many wonderful replies! I wish my dad was around to read them and know that all those things he used to do that he thought were just normal were actually so special.

I would love to print them all into some kind of book. If anyone knows how I can do this, please let me know.