Staff go above and beyond to get birthday message from pop sensation Ed Sheeran for patient
A poorly Ed Sheeran fan who is being cared for at UHDB got the birthday surprise of a lifetime, thanks to thoughtful staff on the ward.
Gemma Fearing knew her 40th birthday was not going to be like any other as she was spending it in hospital, but she had no idea that she was going to get a birthday surprise like no other – after staff on Ward three at Queen’s Hospital Burton went above and beyond for her.
The team, headed up by Senior Sister Netty Webster, worked with Derby and Burton Hospitals Charity to arrange a special video message from chart-topper Ed Sheeran and they delivered it by using funded decorations and a life size cut out of singer.
Netty said: “To be in hospital is hard enough as it is. When we know something significant, and a patient is on our wards it’s important to help them celebrate in the best way that we can.
“One of our sisters came to me and asked me if I could get a message from Ed Sheeran to wish Gemma a happy 40th birthday. She did have tickets but could not go due to being in hospital.
“I managed to get Ed to record a message.”
The star, who is currently on tour, took time to record his message before a gig in Cork.
His special video captured him wishing Gemma “the best day!” and saying “I wanted to hopefully make you smile and I am sending all the love in the world.”
Netty also praised the efforts of UHDB’s charity which she called “absolutely fantastic.”
She said: “It really comes from a Trust level, it comes from a ward level, we are wishing her a happy birthday and yes it may not be the birthday that she hoped for but we got Ed Sheeran!”
The video was even more poignant as Gemma only returned to the ward from a stay in intensive care the day before her milestone birthday.
She was delighted with the special message from her idol and said the surprise was “above and beyond” what she could imagine.
She said: “I’m lucky, they decorated my room amazingly.
“Ed is just brilliant he’s the best bit. I can’t believe that they had it done and I can’t believe he’s done it.
“Thank you very much. It’s above and beyond what I could imagine.”