Stroke survivor has sweet idea to give back to PEH staff
HOMEMADE cakes have been baked for hospital staff this month by a long-standing user of speech and language therapy services.
Just like during the first lockdown, stroke survivor Tony Robinson is determined to give back to the service and bring some much-needed cheer to the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.
Mr Robinson’s stroke was more than five years ago and he undergoes twice-weekly sessions with Health & Social Care’s speech and language therapy team as part of his rehabilitation.
‘My mission is to read, write and be fluent talking,’ he said.
Working with speech and language therapist Fiona Gardiner, the hospital has become his new ‘office’ which he attends twice a week, one session with a group who have become friends.
‘I like cooking, especially making and, of course, eating cakes,’ he said.
‘Years ago I worked in a small bank and I liked to make cakes for the staff.’
During April of the first lockdown, Mr Robinson came up with a plan.
‘I thought I could make cakes for the nurses, but I could not drive to the hospital because of the lockdown. I knew Fiona worked at the hospital daily, so I messaged her with my plan and she was really helpful.
‘I baked the cakes and then arranged with Fiona to collect them in a box outside my home.’
Jam sponges, gache melee, fruit cakes, banana cakes, billionaire shortbread, lemon drizzle, Madeira cakes and carrot cakes were just a few of the baked goods.
Now, in a second lockdown, Ms Gardiner is helping Mr Robinson with delivering him homemade cakes again.
‘It is hard to get ingredients in lockdown, but we are lucky that some stores have deliveries, so a big thank you to them, too,’ he said.
Ms Gardiner said the team were grateful for the wonderful contribution of cakes and treats that Mr Robinson had baked throughout the pandemic.
‘We are delighted to benefit from his talents.
‘His contribution to the Le Marchant Ward Liberation Day Party last year was thoroughly enjoyed, not a crumb was left.
‘And the varied range of goodies he has gifted throughout the past year have been very well received by staff throughout the PEH.’
She was thrilled with the phenomenal progression Tony has made since his stroke and hoped to continue to support him on his journey to full recovery.
