A dinner jacket, a sardonic smile and an air of aloof glamour are just three of the trademarks of actor Rupert Everett’s decades-long career on stage and screen.
But, this week, the star of My Best Friend’s Wedding donned a humble blue T-shirt and a pair of comfy jeans as he became the latest high-profile celebrity to throw his weight behind the Daily Mail’s campaign to recruit thousands of NHS volunteers.
And as the number of people signing up topped 25,000, Rupert, 59, was full of praise for our indomitable people’s army.
Rupert Everett photographed with the NHS volunteers at the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London
Joining ten of the newest volunteers at London’s Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, a clearly impressed Rupert enthused: ‘They’re brilliant. We all need to see what we can contribute rather than just take the NHS for granted. I love the NHS with a passion. It’s a magnificent institution.
'And I know I’m not alone. Just look at how many wonderful people have signed up to offer their time and skills.
‘I’m stunned by their generosity. We’re never going to stop relying on the amazing staff who keep our hospitals running but volunteers can offer an extra bit.’
From the Premier League physio to the company CEO, they share their heartwarming stories...
Football was just the Spur I needed
Ken Ibrahim, 66, is a sports therapist. He lives with his wife Martina, 64
Ken Ibrahim, 66, is a sports therapist. He lives with his wife Martina, 64.
They have one son. Ken says: ‘I’ve spent most of my career as a physiotherapist with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, treating hundreds of players including Harry Kane, in the their youth academy.
‘When a player gets injured, I’m the one who rushes on to the pitch with the manager. Then I take the lad to hospital and sit with him.
‘My attitude is key. I distract him from any pain by talking, but most of all I try and reassure him. The academy is incredibly competitive and if a talented young player twists his ankle, the pain is secondary to the terror of wondering whether you’ll ever play again.
‘I’m offering one day a month. If I can chat to patients and help them relax, then I hope that will help them heal – and take some pressure off the staff.’
Nurses like my mum need all the help they can get
Christabel Jay, 30, is an office manager. Her mother is a paediatric nurse
Christabel Jay, 30, is an office manager. She says: ‘My mum’s a paediatric nurse, so I know first-hand how hard nurses work and how appreciative they are of volunteers.
‘I know Mum would love to spend more time talking to patients and their families. But the next best thing is knowing there are volunteers on hand so she can fulfil her clinical role.
‘I don’t have any specialist training, so the only gift I can give is my time. I’ve pledged to give up a Saturday or Sunday once a month. It will be time well spent.
‘I’m also immensely grateful for the help I’ve received. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis eight years ago. I’m on medication and have check-ups every three months at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital.
‘I can’t fault the care but sitting in the packed waiting room can be stressful. It would be great to have volunteers on hand explaining what’s going on or simply offering a friendly smile or a chat to pass the time.’
The NHS saved my life – I want to repay them
Fred Rivett, 73, is a retired engineer. He lives with wife Jennifer, 70, a retired personal assistant
Fred Rivett, 73, is a retired engineer. He lives with wife Jennifer, 70, a retired personal assistant. They have four children and five grandchildren.
Fred says: ‘I’m only here thanks to the wonderful NHS. Aged 36, I was diagnosed with lung cancer. Surgery saved my life. I was given a check-up three months later then told to go off and enjoy the rest of my life.
'I’ve been doing that ever since. I’ve gone on to see my children grow up with families of their own.
‘I want to repay my debt. And what better way than volunteering to ease the pressure on the amazing staff? I’m happy to volunteer wherever I’m needed. My continued good health is a great advert for the NHS. And I hope that, at the very least, my experiences might be reassuring.’
My dear dad would be so proud
Sally Garling, 73, is a retired shop manageress. She lives with her husband, Peter, 85, a retired dispatch manager
Sally Garling, 73, is a retired shop manageress. She lives with her husband, Peter, 85, a retired dispatch manager. Sally says: ‘Peter teases me because I’ll often arrive home with the entire life story of a total stranger I’ve met on the bus.
‘Managing a children’s furniture shop for 20 years, I’ve learned how to quickly read people and hope to utilise these skills as a volunteer.
‘I have a particular empathy with the elderly. I was very close to my dad who died in 2008 aged 104. He spent the last 18 months in a home. I visited daily and saw how lonely many elderly people are.
‘This November, I was in hospital myself when I had an emergency appendix operation.
‘I was only in for 24 hours but I was shocked by how nurses were rushed off their feet trying to do 101 jobs at once.
‘There was a lady who’d fallen and broken her arm and didn’t speak very good English. A volunteer could have comforted her and perhaps helped the nurse coax all the necessary information out of her.’
I can be a friend in need
Kate Umney, 48, lives with husband Henry, 49, CEO of a software company and their three children
Kate Umney, 48, lives with husband Henry, 49, CEO of a software company and their three children.
She says: ‘I was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of breast cancer in January.
‘After chemotherapy, I had a double mastectomy and radiotherapy. I feel inordinately grateful. The care I received was exceptional.
‘But it wasn’t just the staff, but my wonderful friends who saw me through. I was left acutely aware of all the patients who may not have the same great network.
‘I picked up the Daily Mail, saw the appeal and instantly knew I had to sign up. I hope I can provide a shoulder to cry on or the same friendly listening ear that helped me through.’
Gentle Canadian helped heal my appendix
John Ryan, 54, is head of global sales for a corporate travel company. He lives with his partner, Anton Mossa, 47, an interior designer
John Ryan, 54, is head of global sales for a corporate travel company. He lives with his partner, Anton Mossa, 47, an interior designer. He says: ‘When my appendix burst five years ago, I was rushed into hospital.
The staff were amazing. But the one person who really stood out was a volunteer.
This elderly Canadian gentleman had a lovely air of gentle humility and seemed to have all the time in the world.
He would regularly appear in the ward, offering a cup of tea or a chat. It was obvious he was taking pressure off the nurses so the whole ward felt better.
He made such an impact on me that, when I read about the campaign, I pledged my time – three hours a week – instantly. I can’t wait to start.’
It’s the little things that matter
Davina Cloke, 38, is an executive assistant, and says many of her friends are doctors and nurses
Davina Cloke, 38, is an executive assistant. She says: ‘Many of my friends are doctors and nurses, so I know how hard they work, often surviving entire shifts on a sandwich and a lukewarm cup of tea.
‘A few months ago, I visited a friend’s grandmother in hospital on the Isle of Wight. The nurses were very efficient, but they weren’t able to cater to the constant demands on their time – often for small things like a drink or a book they couldn’t reach.
'I ended up befriending the elderly patients and seeing if I could help. Just smiling, holding their hand and exchanging a few words seemed to comfort them.
‘There’s so much that ordinary people like me can do and I now can’t wait to start volunteering properly, one day a month.’
Volunteers made life bearable for Mum
Andy McCabe, 49, runs a business developing apps for dating websites
Andy McCabe, 49, runs a business developing apps for dating websites. Andy says: ‘I’m really excited to be part of this fantastic experiment. I’m convinced that what the NHS really needs is extra manpower.
‘I became acutely aware of the difference volunteers can make when my mother was in hospital with breathing problems earlier this year. The professionals were universally fantastic. But the person Mum spoke most fondly of was the guy who came around with the meals. He always had a smile on his face and a fund of stories.
‘Just seeing him gave Mum and all the other patients a real boost. Of course, the patients needed their food, but hospital can be demoralising and what they needed most was his time and good humour. I’m self-employed so I can work volunteering into my schedule and I hope to offer the same boost my mother experienced.’
I’m going to volunteer instead of shopping
Nisha Mandalia, 45, works in advertising. She lives with her partner, Leslie Guy, 49, a security worker
Nisha Mandalia, 45, works in advertising. She lives with her partner, Leslie Guy, 49, a security worker.
Nisha says: ‘A few years ago, I spent a year mentoring a seven-year-old boy from a deprived background. I saw him once a week, giving him the extra adult attention he needed. I loved it and winning his trust was amazing. I hope I can do something similar as an NHS volunteer, preferably in a children’s ward, reading to or playing with a sick child.
‘I saw the NHS at its best when my dad spent the last five years of his life in and out of Leicester Royal Infirmary with chest infections.
‘Sadly I wasn’t with him when he died in hospital in March 2016, aged 67. I rushed up to Leicester and the nurses couldn’t have been more empathetic, letting me stay with Dad until the early hours of the morning, so I could say my goodbyes properly.
‘Now I want to give back, and although I work full-time I have pledged one day a month when I would otherwise be entertaining friends, shopping or going for a run.’
My job in child protection makes me unflappable
Anne Barker, 65, is a retired admin officer. She lives with husband John, 64, a lighting gaffer
Anne Barker, 65, is a retired admin officer. She lives with husband John, 64, a lighting gaffer, and has two children and two grandchildren.
Anne says: ‘Both my mother and my elder brother, Trevor, were epileptics, so I’ve always been good in a crisis.
When Dad was at work, I was in charge. Mum would say: “Anne, I feel strange,” and I knew immediately I had to calm her down.
Trev, however, got no warning before a fit but I rapidly learned how to keep him safe and comfortable. It didn’t phase me.
‘My job in Barnet Council, North London’s child protection unit helped me perfect staying calm under pressure and defusing difficult situations. I was the first port of call when neighbours or hospital staff rang with concerns about a child.
'Now I’m retired I have plenty of time, so I’m pledging three hours a week. I feel particularly drawn to the elderly. Dad lived with us for the last 18 months of his life, dying last year aged 89.
'We also helped my mother-in-law, Irene, until she died of dementia in March aged 91.’
Link hienalouca.com
https://hienalouca.com/2018/12/22/rupert-everett-salutes-25400-who-have-signed-up-to-the-daily-mails-hospital-volunteer-campaign/
Main photo article A dinner jacket, a sardonic smile and an air of aloof glamour are just three of the trademarks of actor Rupert Everett’s decades-long career on stage and screen.
But, this week, the star of My Best Friend’s Wedding donned a humble blue T-shirt and a pair of comfy jeans as he became the latest hi...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2018/12/22/01/7723044-6522051-Rupert_Everett_photographed_with_the_NHS_volunteers_at_the_Chels-m-83_1545443437893.jpg
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий