Officers have donated a hoard of second-hand children’s clothes to a domestic abuse support centre in south London.

Image source, Met Police

Dozens of bags filled with toys and clothes – for babies, toddlers and young children were dropped off at the Family Justice Centre (FJC) in Croydon, south London.

The clothes will be offered to women in need who visit the centre, some of whom fear going back to the family home and retrieving belongings for themselves and their children.

Officers sought hand-me-downs and donations from colleagues after learning that clothing stocks kept by the centre were running low.

PC Mike Haines said: “We encounter domestic abuse victims on a daily basis and see the devastation these types of crimes cause. The FJC is a shining example of the excellent support being offered in communities across London through the coronavirus pandemic, and we will continue to support them.”

Croydn councillor Hamida Ali said: “Lockdown presents an even more difficult period for anyone facing domestic abuse, and this offers real help for people whose home is not safe and who might be unable to return home to get their belongings.

FJC is now opening seven days a week to offer more support to anyone experiencing domestic abuse.

People who need help should call 0208 688 0100.

Intisar Chowdhury calls on the health secretary to admit mistakes were made in supplying protective kit.

The PM and NHS leaders join the tribute to front-line workers who have died with coronavirus.

Inside Croydon

Croydon Council has managed to distribute just one-third of the £60million it has been given by the government in emergency funding for businesses hit by the impact of the coronavirus lockdown.

Full story, external

Mariam Issimdar
BBC News

A research nurse working at St George's, University of London, has died of coronavirus.

Image source, St George's, University of London

Ken Lambatan's death was confirmed by the university hospital.

“Everyone at St George’s is deeply saddened by the death of Ken, one of our cardiac research nurses," said its chief executive Jacqueline Totterdell and Professor Jenny Higham, in a joint statement.

"Ken was very popular with staff, and described as a ‘true gem’ by those that knew him well.

"He was dedicated to his role as a research nurse here at St George’s, and was as popular with his patients as he was with colleagues.

"Our thoughts go out to his family, friends and colleagues at this time," they added.

On Twitter, Nursing Notes, external also paid tribute to the popular nurse.

"It is with great sadness we announce that nurse Ken Lambatan has sadly died from COVID-19.

"Ken’s friends say he “lit up the room” and was in love with nursing."

Elsewhere on social media, Mr Lambatan was described as being just 34-years-old and originally from the Philippines.

Nurses and key workers from BAME backgrounds made up a considerable proportion - 34% - of those in England who have died from Covid-19 virus up to 17 April.

Sam Francis
BBC News, London

More than half of all deaths in London are linked to coronavirus for the second week in a row, according to latest figures.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data, external showed there were 3,275 fatalities in the week up to 17 April, of which 1,818 were linked to coronavirus - or 55% of all deaths.

The week before saw 1,506 fatalities linked to coronavirus - or 53% of all deaths.

Since the outbreak London has been several weeks ahead of other regions in terms of the virus curve, meaning transmission is happening more rapidly.

Latest figures show London remains the worst affected area in the country, but other areas are starting to catch up.

The North West and North East also had a high proportion of COVID-19 deaths, accounting for 42.3% and 41.1% respectively of deaths registered in these regions.

The ONS figures rely on death certificates where the cause or contributory factors are listed and includes deaths in all situations - including care homes and in the community.

Image source, bbc

The government urges staff in lockdown to take online training for the post-virus economy.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A city centre youth hostel which was once a school for choirboys is being converted to provide a home for 20 rough sleepers during the coronavirus crisis.

St Paul’s hostel is seconds away from the cathedral and was used for almost a century as a school for choirboys.

It is normally used by tourists keen to see all the top sights in the capital and beds go from £13 a night, with rooms starting at £29.

The City of London Corporation has taken over the entire building until July to house rough sleepers.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Image source, Prangan Family

A family has thanked people for their “kind and generous” donations towards their father’s funeral, after he died of coronavirus two weeks ago.

Romer Prangan, 50, used to work as a cleaner at the Bentall Centre in Kingston, but was forced to retire three years ago after suffering a heart attack.

A year later he was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.

Daughter, Maria Almira Victoria Prangan, 26, set up a GoFundMe page to help the family cope with burial and funeral costs.

She described how her family “does not have much money” and how her mother, who is also a domestic worker, has been struggling to get by due to restrictions put in place by the lockdown.

The family has since raised £6,700 and yesterday thanked people for their support and prayers for the family.

“It’s really nice to see people who don’t know my father that much and they still choose to help us in this situation. It’s really nice of them,” Maria told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A man reportedly shot in Camden, north London overnight was helped using a 'bleed kit' bought by a community centre following a previous murder, according to the Community New Journal. , external

The condition of the man, who is in his 30s, is not life-threatening, a Met spokesman said, confirming an investigation is under way.

Ashitha Nagesh
BBC News

Image source, MARY JAYASEELAN

The last time Mary Jayaseelan spoke to her husband Rajesh, he was about to be hooked up to a ventilator in a Covid ward.

Rajesh was being treated in Northwick Park Hospital in London, the city where he worked as an Uber driver for most of the year. Mary was 5,000 miles away in their family home in Bangalore, India, with their two young sons. Until that point he had repeatedly told her he would be fine, that he was feeling ill but she was not to worry, he'd get better - at 44 years old, he was young and otherwise healthy.

But on that call, he broke down and admitted: "Mary, I'm feeling a bit scared."

Rajesh Jayaseelan died the following day.

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