Alec Souter, a porter at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, who received a Serco Star Award for the support he showed to a young patient receiving end of life care who was a massive Thomas the Tank fan. Alec dressed up as the Controller to visit the Children’s Ward to create a magical and memorable experience for the child and their family. He also created a personalised recording of the Controller for the child’s funeral service and supplied photos of their favourite trains Thomas and Percy to show on the screens during the service.
Deborah Colvin, Clinical Ward Manager, Children’s Ward, Forth Valley Royal Hospital, said: “Alec is well known to local staff across the wider hospital for his kind gestures. Whether it is playing the bag pipes or dressing up as a much-loved children’s TV character he is always willing to go the extra mile to make a difference to others.
“When a young patient receiving end of life care expressed a deep love for Thomas the Tank Engine, we reached out to Alec for help and, without any hesitation, he left work, collected his Controller outfit, and returned to the hospital to create a magical and memorable experience for the child and their family.”
Ann-Marie Hill, Serco’s Central Support Manager at Forth Valley Royal Hospital , who nominated Alec for a Serco Star Award, said: “Alec’s works with the Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway, where he plays the Controller during their Thomas the Tank Engine events so when the Children’s Ward asked if he could dress up for a young patient he was only too happy to help.
“ His visit brought smiles, comfort, and joy at an incredibly difficult time and after the patient sadly passed away, although Alec was unable to be there in person, he created a personalised voice recording of the Controller for the service supplied and supplied photos of the child’s favourite trains Thomas and Percy to show on the screens during the service. His compassion and dedication profoundly touched everyone involved.”
