‘Amazing’ hospital team help Dusty celebrate his 95th

A great-grandfather’s wish came true thanks to the work of hospital staff after the pandemic scuppered his planned celebrations.

All Donald ‘Dusty’ Miller wanted for his 95th birthday was a party, but coronavirus restrictions meant plans had to be put on hold when he reached the milestone in January.

But when the former welder and metalworker was admitted to the William Harvey Hospital and his condition meant he might not make it to celebrate turning 96, staff decided to make his wish become a reality.

The team on Rotary ward, together with Dusty’s daughter Denise Leong and the rest of the family, arranged for him to have a special party he could enjoy from his hospital bed.

“The staff have been absolutely wonderful - they are an amazing group of people,” Ms Leong said.

“We planned to have dad’s party as soon as we were allowed but things are so uncertain that when they suggested doing it at the hospital we thought it would be a lovely idea.

“We held it just outside and he was able to meet his newest great-granddaughter, who was born just a few weeks before he went into hospital.

“The whole family could be there and we all shed some happy tears.”

Mr Miller, of Taylor Road in Lydd-on-Sea, was first admitted to hospital due to ulcerated legs and kidney problems.

Doctors found a mass in his throat and had to insert a tube to help him breathe.

Although this makes it hard for him to talk, Ms Leong believes it has given him valuable extra time with his loved ones.

She said: “They gave him back to us and gave us some more time, and because of that we were able to give him his wish of having a party.

“We are all so grateful to have that memory to hold on to. He was so excited in the days leading up to the party and would constantly ask whether it was today.

“I took in a blazer and his army medals for him to wear, and made him a special hat, and when he was wheeled outside and saw everyone waiting he started crying.

“They have gone above and beyond what they had to do and I can’t tell you how much it’s meant to us.”

A canine cuddle for Donald ‘Dusty’ Miller at his party