Watch as male choir makes patient’s dream come true
A gentleman who is being cared for at Royal Derby Hospital has been treated to a special visit and performance of ‘You raise me up’ by his former choir members.
The special visit was organised by Sharon Dunworth, Dementia Key Worker on Ward 311, after a request from Alan Glossop, a patient who is being treated on the ward.
Mr Glossop is currently receiving treatment and when asked by Sharon if there was anything she could do to make him smile, he asked if the choir could come and sing for him.
Sharon contacted the Alfreton Male Voice Choir, of which Alan used to be a member, and within two hours they were on the ward surrounding Alan’s bed and making his wish come true.
Alan’s wife Margaret was by his side for the touching moments and said it “meant the world” to her husband.
She said: “I want to say a big thank you to the choir and the staff for making it happen.
“It was so special, they are such a nice bunch of people.
“Alan was thrilled. He was talking about it all day, he said to me on the phone last night ‘what a day’ honestly it just made his day.
“He’s always liked singing and started with the choir 15 years ago but he had to stop about five years ago when he lost his voice.
“This meant so much to him, to both of us.”
Organiser Sharon said she has “the best job in the world”.
She said: “I feel very privileged to do the job I do.
“We have magic moments on the ward every day and I genuinely feel like I have the best job in the world.
“When I spoke to Alan on Thursday morning he was really tearful and he’s quite poorly at the moment.
“He was very low in mood so I asked if there was anything else I could do.
“He said he wanted to hear his old choir sing again one last time.
“I hoped to get a video but after a few calls they were here within two hours.”
Sharon said “there wasn’t a dry eye” among staff while the choir was performing.
She added: “I am very lucky that Rachel is my boss because she never says no to my crazy ideas!
“I have a bit of a mum standard where I like to treat everyone how I would want my mum to be treated if she was in the hospital bed.
“Knowing I’ve made a difference is why I do what I do.”
Rachel Kirby, Senior Sister on the ward, said: “Sharon is exceptional within her role and I am very proud of her.
“She goes above and beyond for her patients and the many things she has brought together and pulled off for the patients and their experience is so inspiring.”