An 84-year-old volunteer at a Nottingham hospital received a special honor. A bus was named after him, celebrating his dedication and hard work in the community.
Nottingham: An 84-year-old volunteer named Roy Brooks-Porter just had a bus named after him. This happened on January 27, and it left him completely speechless.
Roy, who lives in Mapperley, was honored after being named volunteer of the year by Nottingham University Hospitals. He was surprised when the bus pulled up outside City Hospital.
“It’s a sensational experience,” he said, sitting in the driver’s seat. He started volunteering at the hospital after retiring from being a driving instructor at 74.
At first, he didn’t know much about the hospital. He told them to give him a challenging role. So, he began collecting files for oncology, running around the hospital.
Then, when the files went digital, they asked him to volunteer on a ward. He was a bit hesitant but soon found himself doing many tasks, like making beds and serving meals.
“You can’t sit down; there’s always something to do. The atmosphere was amazing,” he shared. He even organized raffles to raise money for the hospital.
His wife, Gerlinda, was emotional when he won the award. “I was a wreck,” she admitted. Learning about the bus was just fantastic for her.
She believes he truly deserves this recognition. “He worked hard, and it’s good for the hospital and the volunteer service,” she said.
Roy and Gerlinda are excited to ride the bus on the 24-27 service, which stops right outside their home. Kerry Harper, the voluntary services manager, praised Roy for being kind and humble.
“He’s a very popular volunteer who helps everyone,” she added. It’s clear that Roy’s dedication has made a big impact.
