Ernesto “Boyet” Tamayo, aged 44, was an NHS nurse who worked at Watford General Hospital and Peterborough City Hospital during his 20-year career at the national health service.

It is understood that the nurse served at Watford General Hospital from 2003, before leaving his senior staff nurse position in 2017.

He later served as a senior staff nurse at Peterborough City Hospital.

Mr Tamayo passed away in Peterborough last Tuesday (May 4), leaving behind his wife Kathy and his young son Matt.

In a GoFundMe page set to help support the family with the funeral costs, organiser Narlo Sumilhig said: “Boyet, who is originally from the Philippines, has dedicated his life to be an exemplary nurse for the NHS in the UK for nearly 20 years.

“He was a fun-loving family man, well respected who has lived through hardships from a young age yet worked really hard to gain recognition for his service to nursing.”

The organiser added: “We are appealing for your kindness and support so we can give Boyet a send-off befitting a hero frontliner whose sole purpose in life is to serve and care for the sick and vulnerable.”

The West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust were contacted for their tribute to Mr Tamayo.

Anyone wishing to donate to the fundraiser should visit: https://gofund.me/d8abd836