Colleagues, patients and visitors come together to remember on Remembrance Day
Colleagues, patients and visitors came together across UHDB on Remembrance Day yesterday (Wednesday 11 November) , to pay their respects and honour members of the Armed Forces who have served and sacrificed their lives.
Services were held at all UHDB hospitals*, with people gathering ahead of the two-minute silence at 11am to reflect on the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces, past and present.
The services were organised by UHDB’s Armed Forces Colleague Network, bringing colleagues and members of the public together to remember those who lost their lives in conflict, recognise those who continue to serve , and show support for the wider Armed Forces community.
As well as helping to facilitate the services across UHDB, members of the Network also represented the Trust at a number of remembrance events in the local community.
Lara Raworth , Deputy Lead for the Armed Forces Network, said: " Having taken over the role of Deputy Lead earlier in the year, this was my first time helping in and supporting the preparation for Remembrance season across all sites, alongside our Network Lead and the Armed Forces Covenant Manager. It was a privilege to represent the Trust and lay wreaths at three external events as well."
These included a service at the Royal School for the Deaf in Derby on Friday 6 November, where children laid handmade crosses and three students signed a poem called We Remember Them as it was read aloud. Guests and visitors also joined in by signing the words of the poem.
Lara also attended the parade and service at the memorial at St Peter’s Church in Mickleover on Sunday 8 November, followed by a service at Toyota Manufacturing in Burnaston on Monday 9 November. This included a service at the company’s Air Force memorial, where wreaths were laid.
In the lead-up to Remembrance Day, the Royal British Legion (RBL)'s 'Riders Branch' made their annual fundraising visits to the main entrances of Queen's Hospital Burton and Royal Derby Hospital in late October, raising money for the RBL Poppy Appeal and managed to raise a total of £3,615.05 across two days.
The Riders Branch are an official, national branch of the Royal British Legion formed in 2004. It unites motorcycle enthusiasts who share a passion for riding and a commitment to supporting the Legion's charitable mission for the Armed Forces community
Looking ahead following the services , Lara said: “I look forward to continuing to support the Network and wider EDI groups, as well as improving the lives of veterans and the wider Armed Forces community within our scope.”
Here at UHDB, we are proud to support its Armed Forces community, including serving personnel, reservists, veterans and their families, recognising the valuable experiences and skills they bring to our organisation and the wider community.
Thank you to all of those in our communities who joined colleagues at each of our Remembrance events to pay tribute to all those who have served and sacrificed their lives in conflict.
Lest we forget.
*Royal Derby Hospital, Queen's Hospital Burton, Florence Nightingale Community Hospital, Samuel Johnson Community Hospital, Sir Robert Peel Community Hospital.