A London Ambulance Service (LAS) ambulance crew who took a World War II veteran to hospital last month have been reunited with the war hero to celebrate his 105th birthday at his bedside in hospital.
Following a call for help, EMT’s Sameenah Din and her crewmate attended the home of George Worwood in Surbiton back in October.
Mr Worwood was subsequently admitted to Kingston Hospital for further tests and treatment.
When Sameenah heard that Mr Worwood would be spending his 105th birthday in hospital, the caring and thoughtful medic arranged to bring some cakes and balloons in for Mr Worwood to celebrate with him on his birthday.
George Worwood, Sameenah and her children and George’s friend Florrie
Sameenah visited George alongside George’s nephew Nigel and Nigel’s wife Carol – and also bought along her two children Somayya and Zachariyya to meet George.
Sameenah, who has worked at London Ambulance Service for 18 years, learned while treating George that he was a former member of the Royal Artillery regiment.
So Sameenah had the cake decorated with the Royal Artillery flag and emblem – and poppies – to mark Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.
George told Sameenah that he had never been to the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday, so Sameenah worked with the London Ambulance Service non-emergency transport service (NETS) and the armed forces charity SSAFA to arrange for George to be taken by a London Ambulance Service NETS team to the annual Remembrance commemoration at the Cenotaph.
George with his specially made cake, paid for by LAS EMT Sameenah
However, George’s condition meant he was unable to attend the yearly event – but Sameenah made sure she could visit George at 11 am on 11 November for the two minutes’ silence to remember fallen armed forces personnel.
Carol Worwood, George’s niece-in-law said:
“My husband (George’s nephew) and I arrived at the hospital to see George on his birthday – with a balloon, cake and champagne, but before we could go in, we saw Sameenah, in uniform, with an amazing cake with the Royal Artillery emblem on it.
“I left my, very ordinary, chocolate cake in my bag!
“We watch television programmes about the ambulance service and never cease to be amazed at their care.
“I can’t begin to tell you the difference in having Sameenah pop in has made.
“George was quite amazed at all the attention!”
Sameenah added:
“Meeting a 104-year-old patient is an honour in itself but to learn then that George is one of the oldest surviving WW11 veterans was incredibly humbling.
“It was really special to be with him on his 105th birthday, and it was lovely to be welcomed to be part of his special day so warmly by George’s nephew Nigel and Nigel’s wife, Carol.
“Joining George for the two minutes’ silence on 11 November was poignant, and I’m grateful to have been able to spend it with him – it really brought home the magnitude of the occasion.”
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