SHE was devastated when her father died in hospital five months after being admitted with Covid-19.

But the grief felt by Joanne Drewery turned to anger after she was told that two rings belonging to Southampton delivery driver Martyn Dear had gone missing.

Staff at University Hospital Southampton are still searching for the rings - a month after he died.

Earlier this year Joanne embarked on a quest to help Covid patients at the hospital by buying iPads for those unable to take part in video calls.

She raised £3,774 and used the money to buy a large number of items, including iPads and fans for patients, plus tea, coffee and chocolates for NHS staff.

Mr Dear, who was well-known in the city for staging scooter runs and other charity events, was taken ill in October. He was eventually declared free of coronavirus but remained in hospital and died last month after being found unresponsive.

Two weeks earlier Joanne, 36, and her mother Donna, 59, were told his rings had been put in a safe.

Joanne said: "We got a call at 6am on March 11 and went to the hospital to be told he had passed away, which was a big shock as I'd spoken to him the night before and he seemed OK.

"We asked for his rings, only to be told they couldn't find them.

"We are devastated to have lost him and now his rings, which mean a lot to my mother. I'm so upset. After all I've done for the hospital I'm having to deal with this."

The family have contacted the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS), which provides patients, their families and their carers with advice and support.

PALS can provide information about the NHS complaints procedure and how people can obtain independent help.

David French, interim chief executive at University Hospital Southampton, said: "We’re sorry for the distress this has caused Mr Dear’s family and we continue to try and locate his property.

"We understand this is a deeply upsetting time for them and will remain in contact with them with regards to the missing items."