Hospital Life March 2010 - Barking Havering and Redbridge ...

X-Factor star visits Queen’s
Stacey chats with 15-year-old
Chloe Foster
Tropical Lagoon staff with Stacey and her sister, to her right
But Stacey’s visit put a big smile on the
faces of the youngsters.
Fifteen-year-old Chloe Foster from Harold
Hill said: “Stacey is absolutely lovely, but it
was so surreal to meet her. I supported her
when she was on the X-Factor, and when
you see someone on television so much
you feel like you already know them.”
Gemma Solomon, Stacey’s sister, has been
working on Tropical Lagoon as part of her
nurse training.
She said: “It’s so nice bringing Stacey in to
work so she can meet the children. I’m
getting used to people staring at us
whenever I am with her now. It’s so
funny.”
She added: “I’ve only been at Queen’s
Hospital for two weeks, but I’m absolutely
loving it. It’s a great hospital and I love the
layout of the wards, as well as the staff
and patients of course. I’m already hoping
I can come back here for my second
rotation.”
Youngsters brave the elements
X-Factor star Stacey Solomon cheered up young
patients at Queen’s Hospital with a surprise
visit.
Stacey – who came third on the hit TV
show and won over fans with her
down-to-earth attitude – spent the
morning on Tropical Lagoon
children’s ward.
She was invited along by her sister
Gemma, who is a student nurse
working on the ward.
Stacey said: “It’s lovely to be here, to
see where my sister is working and to
have a nice quiet visit rather than a huge
event. I love doing things like this and
spending time with the patients.”
Stacey, who arrived alone and dressed down in comfy
clothes, spent a long time with each child, chatting
easily and joining in with their games.
And there was an emotional reunion with Kayleigh
Tyler, six, who she first met when the X-Factor finalists
visited Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Reunited - Stacey
with Kayleigh Tyler
Stacey, who comes from Dagenham and had son
Zachary at King George Hospital, said: “I’m so proud of
my sister training to be a nurse. I couldn’t do it. I think I
would be in tears every day seeing the children.”
Wind and driving rain failed to
deter a dedicated group of
youngsters volunteering at King
George Hospital.
Sixteen young people taking part in a
Prince’s Trust Team Programme have
chosen to give the outdoor play area
at Clover Ward a make-over.
The group – all unemployed and
taking part in the City and Guild
accredited course – worked in
appalling conditions to overhaul the
area, repainting equipment, and fixing
and tidying where necessary.
The group also carried out a fundraising
walk to find the money to
carry out the work, with donations
boosting the final amount to an
amazing £1,700.
Becki Wells from the group said: “We chose to help the
children’s ward as we wanted to give something back to
the community.
“We’re trying to show that young people aren’t as bad as
we are made out to be.
• The Prince’s Trust team in the children’s
garden at King George Hospital.
“Sometimes young people can be stereotyped, but not all
of us are like that.”
The next Prince’s Trust course starts at the end of May.
Anyone who would like more information can call Liam
Lenihan on 07931 688194.
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