A Covid research champion who was one of the first people infected with the virus to be put into an induced coma is raising funds for NHS in Sussex with his book about his survival experience.

Thakeham businessman Laurence Penn, 59, wrote Bed No.1 From Coma to Cycling: The Resilient Recovery of a Covid Survivor to tell the story of his battle with Covid-19 and the lives of the people who helped him fight the deadly virus sweeping the globe.

The book will be officially launched at the Charmandean Centre in Worthing on Thursday, January 29, at 7pm. The book is priced £12.99 and sales are raising funds for My University Hospitals Trust, the dedicated NHS Charity for Sussex hospitals.

Laurence said: "We're looking to raise more awareness around the book and to raise funds for the NHS Charity My University Hospitals Trust. The usual format is an introduction from me around the book and that period of time in our past, then follows a Q&A with me being interviewed by John Price from My University Hospitals Trust. We then open the floor for questions from the audience."

Laurence Penn at Worthing Hospital, where he was given high dose oxygen via a helmet ventilation system, and his new book, Bed No.1

placeholder image — Laurence Penn at Worthing Hospital, where he was given high dose oxygen via a helmet ventilation system, and his new book, Bed No.1

Entry to the book launch event is free. There will be a full bar and hot food available to purchase.

Laurence was infected in early March 2020, before the lockdown, and Covid hit him hard, despite him being a pretty fit 54-year-old at the time with no underlying health conditions.

As a survivor, he went on to become a Covid research champion and now dedicates his time to supporting research efforts and giving back to the NHS, which he credits with saving his life.

Laurence said: "I have written the book about my experiences and recovery from Covid in 2020. This true story will share my glimpse of death, and show the resilience, love, skill and selflessness of the NHS teams that lived and worked through my nightmare."

As a Covid-19 survivor, Laurence Penn went on to become a research champion and now dedicates his time to supporting research efforts and giving back to the NHS, which he credits with saving his life

As managing director of Hove-based Employment International, Laurence did not give Covid much thought when he visited Dubai in December 2019 and again in February 2020. Unfortunately, he had a meeting with a colleague who it later transpired had the virus.

Laurence said: "Two weeks later, I began to go downhill as the virus made its way through my respiratory system, slowly shutting me down. Oxygen seemed harder and harder to come by.

"The NHS 111 service triggered the emergency services. I was whisked away to hospital where the story begins. I was one of the first people to be put into an induced coma – into Bed Number 1 in Worthing Hospital’s ICU."

Laurence spent 29 days in a coma. Sadly, during the time he was in intensive care, there were around 120 other patients who did not survive.

Being taken out of the coma in May was a 'very strange experience accompanied by bizarre dreams and hallucinations’.

Laurence had lost more than two stones during his time in hospital. His vocal cords were damaged, so he could hardly speak, and his heart raced with the slightest exercise.

He had spent 47 days in Worthing Hospital and even after leaving, there was still a long journey to recovery, including physiotherapy and speech and language therapy.

Exactly a year after he was put into a coma, Laurence completed the South Downs Way challenge in just one day, on March 31, 2021, and raised thousands of pounds to provide mental health and wellbeing support for staff at the hospital.

More information about the book can be found at www.bednumberone.com and orders can be made online.