THE work of “flower girls” is being celebrated at Warrington Hospital as part of Friends Week.
The League of Friends, which has about 60 members at Warrington, is marking the event with a look into the work of its flower girls – the woman who visit the wards every Wednesday to tend patients’ flowers and spread a little cheer.
The team are Joan Burns, 74, from Paddington, her neighbour Pat Stewart, 66, Maureen Cartledge, 46, from Orford and Joan Smith, 50, from Padgate.
Joan is the longest-serving flower girl and has been a member of the League for 17 years.
She said: “I love the company, we have a lovely team here and I like going out on the wards helping out and cheering people up. Flowers brighten the place up and it is our little way of giving something back by looking after the patients’ flowers and stopping for a chat.”
The League also runs a range of services at the hospital including a helpdesk at the front entrance, a small charity shop in the main foyer and a weekly lottery.
During the past eight years it has raised more than £400,000 which has been used to buy additional medical equipment for departments, wards and services within the hospital.
Pictured: Flower girls (left to right) Pat Stewart, Joan Burns and Maureen Cartledge.
