Simon Gregson has spoken candidly about his decision to donate classic vehicles to NHS workers on the COVID-19 frontline, amid his own battle with coronavirus.
The Coronation Street star, 45, publicly revealed last week that he had been diagnosed with the virus, and just hours later his wife Emma announced her grandmother had tragically died from coronavirus.
The kind star, an avid fan of classic cars, made the decision to donate a 1968 Triumph 1300 FWD car and a 1955 Francis-Barnett Kestrel 30c motorcycle.
Good cause: Simon Gregson has spoken candidly about his decision to donate classic vehicles to NHS workers on the COVID-19 frontline, amid his own battle with coronavirus
Speaking on Thursday’s episode of This Morning the star said: ‘Basically I’m a collector of classic stuff, cars, motorbikes, I like to mess around with them and get them back on the road and I thought a nice thing to do is to donate them to an NHS staff member.
‘With the huge amount these people are doing I thought it’d be nice for them to have a project to do after this is done, I went to Twitter and some people came back and now they own it.’
He added: ‘The bike, it couldn’t have gone to a better guy the bike, a junior doctor who is going to bring it back to life with his daughter… he’s going to start a bike race, to get a lot of junior doctors together with the bikes and stuff.
‘Here’s the car… [on who is getting it]: it’s a lady called Karen who wanted it as a surprise for her husband which is no longer a surprise for her husband.’
Battle: Last week the actor, 45, revealed he had been battling coronavirus (pictured on Coronation Street)
The Steve McDonald actor first took to Twitter on Saturday to express his desire to give away the two vehicles as a ‘little thank you’.
Asking those interested to get in touch, he wrote on social media: ‘Dear NHS workers I have two classic projects (car and bike) if you ride or drive and like fettling old machinery there yours. [sic]
‘Just a little thank you. They need work! But don’t we all. No delivery for obvs reasons oh and thank you.’
When asked for more detail on the car by one follower, he said: ‘It’s a 1968 triumph 1300 fwd needs work buddy but she’s free and I have to say the comfiest car I’ve ever sat in VAT and tax free
Donation: Simon revealed he had donated the car and motorcycle to two hardworking NHS staff members
‘The other is a 1955 1 owner Francis Barnet kestrel 30c again needs work. I’d like these to go to people on the front line who deserve a gift for their tireless efforts.’
Simon spoke with some interested followers directly, before later adding: ‘So it looks like the car and bike may have found homes. Stay safe peeps x’
The star has been through a heartbreaking time of late.
On Friday, Simon’s wife Emma revealed her grandmother had died of coronavirus.
The actor’s spouse took to Twitter to reveal the tragic news, just hours after he revealed he was also battling the deadly disease.
Vintage: The kind star, an avid fan of classic cars, donated a 1955 Francis-Barnett Kestrel 30c motorcycle.
Car: He also made the decision to donate a 1968 Triumph 1300 FWD car
Heartbreak: On Friday, Simon’s wife Emma revealed her grandmother had died of coronavirus
She wrote: ‘881 people lost their lives today, one of those beautiful souls was my grandma!! Heartbroken… #stayathome. Fly High Grandma… We love you.’
On Friday Simon also took to Twitter to thank viewers for their support after he publicly revealed he’d been diagnosed with the virus.
He penned: ‘Thanks twiiterford for all the kind messages feel tonnes better today xx heart goes out to all the people who have suffered so much more. Stay safe.’
Brave: The Steve McDonald actor announced he had the virus in a tweet last week, where he urged fans to ‘stay safe’ as he begins to recover’
A day earlier the star revealed that he was battling coronavirus, and as he continued to recover he urged fans to ‘stay safe.’
He wrote: ‘1st day out of bed today starting to feel a little better after contracting the virus, my main symptom was gastric and still is b****y awful but lucky to not have respiratory. Stay safe everyone x’.
The star was inundated with well-wishes from friends and fans after the shock announcement, which comes 17 days after production was halted on Coronation Street, which Simon has starred on for 31 years.
Shut down: The star was inundated with well-wishes from friends and fans after the shock announcement, which comes 17 days after production was halted on Coronation Street, which Simon has starred on for 31 years