Doctor Alex George has revealed that he will be spending Christmas alone in London following the government's imposition of tier four restrictions on the capital.
The alarming spread of a newly-discovered variant of coronavirus has meant that severe lockdown measures have had to be imposed at late notice in London, Essex and surrounding counties - ruling out different households mixing over the Christmas period.
George, 30, had been due to reunite with his family in Wales later this week following a horrific year that saw his younger brother Llyr commit suicide in July due to mental health problems.
Now he has told followers that he is facing a different kind of Christmas and has instead put himself forward for additional shifts at Lewisham Hospital, where he works as an A&E doctor.
"Looks like I will be alone in London this Christmas," he wrote on Instagram. "As hard as it is to swallow and as upsetting as it is for the family, I will do what is necessary.
"I am going to offer my help to the hospital over Christmas, to look after those who are sick and away from their families at this time.
"This year has been crap but I refuse to lose hope or despair. I will not let this get me down.
"I am sending positivity and love to anyone affected by tonight's announcement. Remember. There is always hope of a better day."
According to the latest figures, more than 18,700 people are currently in hospital in the UK with coronavirus, with around 1,800 new patients now being admitted every day.
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