FRIENDS and family of a Basingstoke cricketer who died of Covid gathered to mark the one year anniversary of his death.

Lee Nurse died of Covid on April 9 2020 following almost two weeks in hospital.

Balloons were released into the sky at the cricket club this evening, where Lee used to play, as those at the memorial cheered in celebration of his life.

The 43-year-old father-of-one played for Basingstoke and North Hants Cricket Club and Berkshire County Cricket Club.

More than 100 people met at the cricket club to remember Lee, with everyone encouraged to stand in groups of no more than six, while socially distancing.

Lee's dad, Leon, told the Gazette he wanted to do something to mark a year since his son's death, saying: "We decided to come to the cricket club which is where he played.

"He was so popular and the number of people here shows that."

Basingstoke Gazette:

Leon, from Basingstoke, said many of his friends and family had not had a chance to properly say goodbye, with Covid restrictions preventing them from attending his funeral last year.

"It's been a really hard year for us. So it means a lot that all these people have come today," he added.

Jeremy Bailey, who was friends with Lee since they were children, said: "We grew up together. There weren't very many people from our background so the Caribbean community stuck together.

"It was unbelievable to hear what happened. I was in constant phone contact and I had daily updates and we were really hoping. So it was a shock, it was shattering."

Leon said Lee had "the ability to make everyone feel they were his best friend".

He added: "There's not been an opportunity to say goodbye together. It's bittersweet today because it's nice to see all these people but we have the reminder that we are here for a reason and that's because Lee isn't here in body."

Ann Long, an independent minister who conducted Lee's funeral, attended the memorial to say a few words on behalf of his parents Leon and Christine, and son Rilee.

She told the group: "There was so much outpouring of love a year ago that Lee would have felt it."

She added: "We miss him terribly, we miss everything about his physical presence but try and be pleased for him as well because he's triumphed and completed his earth journey to go home."

She also read out extracts written by family and friends in tribute to Lee, describing him as "kind, gentle and patient" with an "infectious character".

She encouraged everyone to give a cheer for Lee as dozens of colourful balloons were released into the sky.

Those at the gathering stayed after to have a drink in celebration of Lee's life.

The dad, who worked in professional construction, made his debut for Berkshire County Cricket Club in 1997 and played for them until 2006, playing in nearly 30 championship games.

Leon said Lee was "fit and healthy” before catching the virus.

The 69-year-old previously told the Gazette that Lee was in bed for a week before deteriorating with Covid and was taken to hospital where he was sedated.

Leon didn’t get a chance to see his son before he died, because he had been in hospital himself with pneumonia, and was discharged on the same day Lee was admitted.