A couple who were together for 25 years were married in Kingston Hospital just days before the husband, who was being treated for Covid-19, passed away.

In one of countless displays of humanity from healthcare workers during the coronavirus pandemic, staff at the Acute Assessment Unit (AAU) in Kingston Hospital transformed the ward into a makeshift chapel so that Benny Khaw and Julia Cox could wed.

"Benny and Julia met and fell in love playing badminton, 25 years ago and had been considering a wedding ever since," a Kingston Hospital spokesperson who described the event said.

"At 1.30pm on Friday 8 January, the Acute Assessment Unit at Kingston Hospital was transformed by staff to allow the couple to get married, with Julia’s two daughters, Eleanor Cox and Emma Perham, as witnesses," they added.

Benny was unexpectedly rushed to Kingston Hospital on January 2, and had tested positive for Covid-19.

Previously an active man, he became acutely unwell and was cared for at the hospital until he sadly died on Sunday (January 17), aged 85.

Benny and Julia have three daughters and four grandchildren between them and for both of them, and this was their second marriage.

Julia's Daughter Eleanor described the incredible moment further:

"Benny has been in our lives for many years and I consider him to be my dad. It was so special to be able to see mum and Benny get married – it was a wonderful celebration of the times they have shared.

"We have all been blown away by the kindness shown by the staff at Kingston Hospital. In the midst of a pandemic, staff pulled out all the stops to enable this to happen.

"They have been so incredibly kind to our family and really showed a level of care and compassion that is above and beyond what we expected," she said.

Matron Liz Raderecht of Kingston Hospital's AAU meanwhile described working to make the wedding happen amid the coronavirus pandemic as an "honour":

"It was an honour to plan and put together a special moment for Benny and Julia.

"Noreen, Carolyn and Kyle did an amazing job of transforming the discharge lounge and it really lifted the whole team to be able to do something like this, in what has been a challenging time for everyone," she said.