The husband of a first responder volunteer in Lincolnshire who died of COVID-19 has described her as his “soulmate” in a heartfelt tribute.
Jannine Tempest, a volunteer for Lincolnshire-based first responder charity LIVES, passed away at the age of 40 on Monday after contracting COVID-19.
She was born in Sheffield and joined the RAF in April 1997, where she met the love of her life Phil, now 49, at RAF Benson.
The pair instantly fell in love, with both immediately realising they had found their soulmate, and were engaged just months after meeting for the first time.
They got married in August 1999, going on to have two sons, first George in May 2001 and then Joseph in January 2003.
George was born with multiple conditions, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy and autism, causing Janine to leave her job in order to care for her son.
Jannine never stopped fighting the corner of her son George, now 19.
Phil continued to work for the RAF, and after being posted to Fylingdales in 2005, followed by Wittering in 2009, the family finally settled in North Hykeham in 2014, after a move to RAF Waddington.
It was here in 2015 where Jannine dedicated her life to volunteering for LIVES, something which Phil told The Lincolnite was incredibly rewarding for his wife.
Phil said: “She began volunteering with LIVES in 2015, and she absolutely loved doing this.
“She met many good friends, and took great joy in being able to help others, and use her own experiences to help and guide others.
“She would often return home following a day volunteering, and talk excitedly of her day, and how she really felt good, being able to make a difference.”
The family’s life was never plain sailing, as they fought year upon year to get the appropriate care and support for their disabled son George.
Jannine Tempest was the area coordinator for LIVES in Hykeham, having volunteered at the charity for five years.
It prompted Jannine to not just become involved with LIVES, where she operated as the coordinator for Hykeham area right up until her death, but also to work for CAMHS, an NHS service dedicated to the mental health support of young people.
They did get to share magical moments along the way, however, taking a memorable family trip to Disneyland Paris in 2017 thanks to the RAF Disabled Holiday Trust.
Jannine with her family during their holiday in France.
The family, along with Kat Mayer, the ward sister, then had ‘George’s Garden’ built next to Navenby ward at Lincoln County Hospital, an outdoor space for the benefit of parents, patients and staff.
Things were going great for the family, but the whole household contracted coronavirus in January 2021, which saw George admitted to hospital again.
Jannine stayed by her son’s side at all times in hospital, caring for him despite also having the virus herself.
George recovered, but Jannine’s situation worsened, and she herself was admitted to hospital on January 19, where she stayed until her tragic death on February 8.
“She loved her family with all of her heart, and was loved with all of our hearts in return.”
Phil said of his wife’s passing: “She fought so hard to try and beat this awful virus before sadly passing away, leaving behind a devastated and heartbroken husband, sons, mother, family and friends.
“Jannine excelled in everything she did, as she was so humble, and I often wished that she could see herself through my eyes and the eyes of others, as she truly was the most loving, caring, selfless and amazing woman imaginable.
“She loved her family with all of her heart, and was loved with all of our hearts in return. Her loss is unbearable, it has devastated our family, and has left such a huge hole in our hearts.”
“Jannine was always so loving, a dedicated mother and carer.”
Phil also wanted to thank everyone who has reached out in support since the news of Jannine’s passing broke.
He continued: “As a family, we have been unbelievably humbled (but not surprised) by all the amazing messages of love for Jannine that we have received and would like to thank you all for your kind messages.”
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A divisive holiday park has been given the green light, with councillors reassurred that it’s unlikely to disrupt residents.
The “five star” park would see 79 static caravans located near Market Rasen Racecourse.
Objectors said they feared it would become a ratrun and lead to noise and light pollution.
However, a visit to the site by West Lindsey District Council’s planning committee allayed concerns over traffic problems.
They hope it will provide Market Rasen with an economic boost instead.
Councillor Roger Patterson said in the meeting: “This will be good for the town, raising the possibility of regeneration and attracting more people to the shops, pubs, cafés and supermarkets.
“This isn’t a Club 18 to 30 or a hotel in Spain – it won’t be young revellers making a hell of a ruckus. You get a very specific group.
“All of the holiday parks I’ve visited have been peaceful and there’s never been any issues or anti-social behaviour.”
The site would make it easy for holidaymakers to visit the racecourse or golf course | Photo: Google
Councillor Angela White agreed, saying: “There are many more holiday sites in Woodall Spa than Market Rasen, and the high street there is always vibrant because people who come on their holidays support the economy.”
However, some still harboured doubts about the traffic situation.
Councillor Cordelia McCartney said: “Members who went on the site visit probably saw it peaceful and tranquil – at school time or a race day it’s more like Euston Road [in London].”
To address the issues, the holiday park will be required to stagger arrival and departure times.
Traffic also won’t be allowed to turn left out of the site on Legsby Road.
The plans were brought by Green Park Caravans, who said there was demand for high-quality holiday homes in the area.
The park is expected to be used by holidaymakers all year round.
Colin Davie, Lincolnshire’s executive councillor for business, doesn’t think recent issues in China should put off investment into the county.
The county has been looking to cement its relationship with Chinese investors since 2015, working with the province of Hunan in a bid to share in some of its £385 billion a year economy and “sell Lincolnshire internationally”.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic, recent tensions with America and Taiwan, the country’s environmental record and its genocide of and human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other minorities have put the country under the spotlight in recent years.
Rutland MP Alicia Kearns recently hit out at Chinese ties to a massive solar farm on the Lincolnshire border as she urged the government to support a Taiwan trade deal.
But Councillor Colin Davie, Lincolnshire County Council’s executive portfolio holder for economy, believes that unless China “like Putin goes rogue” it would remain a global superpower “that we have to live with and do business with in one way or the other”.
“Half the products you buy or consume every day have a connection to China – you’re not going to suddenly turn that tap off because its not viable to do so without collapsing the economy.”
He said the impact of closing ports in the country because of COVID had already shown problems within the supply chain.
“There is considerable Chinese investment in Lincolnshire and they will continue to invest but probably in a different way in the future,” he said.
“I have no problem with that provided that China doesn’t become a rogue state.”
He said that there appeared to be a debate going on within China which looked at how the country was positioned within the world and whether it had closer, more understanding relationships with the West or took a more hardline approach.
He said there was no need to “burn bridges,” but instead urged for quieter discussions which influenced and encouraged China to take a “really substantial positive role in the world”.
In response to Ms Kearn’s concerns, he added that if a hardline approach was taken to China a similar one would need to be taken to other countries, such as Qatar hosting the World Cup.
“You can’t pick and choose,” he said.
“We have to recognise that China has a global role to play and it needs to encourage global security and not do anything to destabilise the world even further.”
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