A Church Gresley family has been 'to hell and back' after being struck down by coronavirus symptoms.

Mum Sophie Fisher and children 12-year-old Niki and her 11-year-old brother Aleks are now well on the road to recovery after their long-lasting illness.

And the experience has had a positive outcome...inspiring Niki and Aleks to start their own business venture to fund their future education.

Four weeks ago today (Weds) single mum Sophie was the first to show a key symptom of coronavirus.

She told Swadlincote Nub News: "I started with a cough on the evening before St George's Day, but thought it was hay fever and felt fine in myself.

"Two days later Niki had a high temperature and because I couldn't get it under control I rang Gresleydale Health Care Centre the next day and they asked me to take her to the surgery to be assessed.

"I was starting to feel wiped out and ill by this point and when it was suggested Niki should go to hospital to be tested for coronavirus and kept in for observation I was panicked.

"I'll never forget that moment - it was frightening and confusing.

"I couldn't be in two places at once.

"How do you choose between your children - if I went with Niki to hospital which family member was going to be infected caring for Aleks when it was more than likely he had the virus too?"

Sophie was given the go-ahead to care for Niki at home, on the proviso that should her condition deteriorate she must call 999.

Already anxious about Niki and her own worsening health, just 24 hours later Aleks also became ill.

"He went down like a sack of spuds.

"He has non epileptic attack disorder which means he has seizures so that was an additional worry.

"Although he only had a slight temperature, he slept four days straight. He was zonked out.

"Niki was still poorly and I felt awful - it took me 20 minutes to recover from just going up or downstairs."

For the next four days the family managed as best they could, supported by friends and members of Sophie's Scout group who dropped off food.

"It went by in a blur. We were all just existing - nothing more," she added.

By the end of the first week Niki and Aleks were starting to show signs of improvement, but sleeping between 15 and 18 hours a day.

This continued for another six days until the children's sleep pattern started to return to normal and Sophie thought she too was over the worst.

Then, two weeks into her illness, Sophie started experiencing breathing difficulties.

"I'd had lung ache for a couple of days early on, although it didn't affect my breathing," she said.

"But just as I thought I was on the mend, I started wheezing and my breathing became uncomfortable.

"That lasted for two days and was scary, but by that time I knew where the kids would go if I had to be taken into hospital."

With Sophie's parents currently shielding - her mother had heart surgery last year - her sister was enlisted for childcare duties if necessary.

The family is now back on its feet, although all three still tire quickly, and the children are focusing on their new business  Totes Bags on Wings

"Thankfully, the children recovered fairly quickly, but it knocked me sideways," said Sophie.

"All in all, we've been to hell and back.

"But now it's time to be positive and move forward.

"The children threw a few ideas around and came up with embroidering tote bags to occupy them during lockdown and raise money for their futures.

"Niki wants to be a lawyer and Aleks an emergency vet so they are saving for university.

"All materials were purchased since we were symptom-free and the children follow strict hand hygiene."

Niki does most of the sewing with her brother head of design - which so far includes a rainbow, flower, butterfly and Pride flag - and distribution.

The children have already sold eight bags to family and friends with other orders promised.

The totes cost £5, plus a small extra charge for personalising.

There is free delivery within a four mile radius of Church Gresley or £2.50 to package and post further afield.

Niki said: "I find it really fun and play music while I am sewing."

"I hope we are successful and can put money in the bank," added Aleks.