Memorial service held for beloved Dudley hospital volunteer Steve Ford
A memorial service has been held to celebrate the dedication and commitment of Steve Ford – after he spent 35 years volunteering on the Children’s Ward at Russells Hall Hospital.
Tributes poured in for Mr Ford after his death at the age of 60. Through his Wishing Well charity, he made the wishes of poorly children come true using his many local contacts and friendships.
He presented a weekly radio show to the Children’s Ward via the hospital radio and was also the driving force behind the gnome garden on the ground floor of Russells Hall Hospital.
WATCH: Steve Ford remembered
Steve’s family, friends and colleagues from across the Trust came together in the Prayer Centre at Russells Hall Hospital to remember the popular volunteer and pay their respects on Tuesday.
Dave Brownhill, deputy director of Black Country Radio and Linda Taylor, child play specialist, two of Steve’s closest friends and colleagues, gave the eulogies at the service.
Julie Taylor expressed her gratitude to Steve for his contribution of kindness to the Children’s Ward and for making so many wishes come true and for supporting the staff on the ward.
“Steve was a close friend and colleague and an important member of the play team and we were incredibly fond of him,” said Julie.
“Over a long time so many of us on the Ward witnessed just how important the idea of granting little wishes was to become for so many children and their families.
“It was a simple idea called The Wishing Well. Steve would come on to the Ward a couple of times a week and hand out a short form to each of the children, giving them a chance to express a little wish.
“Steve never, ever wanted or expected praise, thanks, reward or recognition for anything he managed to achieve for our children, all he ever needed was the smile of happiness on the face of a patient.
“We managed to raise £30,000 to finance our sensory room and it would never have happened without the help, guidance and the various contacts we were able to involve all thanks to Steve.”
Dave Brownhill, who knew Steve for 40 years, said, “In 1988 Steve was offered the position of doing requests on the Children’s Ward and he was great at it; it took over his life.
“He dedicated his life to the Children’s Ward and he loved making the kids smile and making their dreams come true through the Wishing Well charity,” he added.
“One of the kids on the ward wanted to fly on the concord and he made it happen. He organised for the child to go to Birmingham Airport and the child got to sit in the cockpit and fly over the Bay of Biscay. He was so passionate about making dreams come true.”
The memorial was followed by a plaque unveiling on the Children’s Ward where Steve selflessly dedicated his life and volunteered.
Chief executive Diane Wake said, “It is a privilege to be here to unveil a plaque in Steve Ford’s honour to celebrate his work as a volunteer.
“He did some fantastic work over 35 years, especially on the Children’s Ward. This lasting memorial will be welcome by many who knew Steve. This plaque gives Steve the recognition he rightly deserves.”
