Hero Liz springs into action to get Lynn home
Liz Mclean, store manager of the Co-op in Brodick, has once again demonstrated why she is the recipient of the order of the British Empire (BEM) after coming to the rescue of an elderly lady stuck in hospital on the mainland.
Named as a Covid hero, Liz was awarded her BEM last year for her work during the pandemic which included going above and beyond for customers on Arran, particularly elderly and vulnerable members of the community.
The story started last Thursday when Lynn Ross, of Glen Estate retirement housing complex, called Liz to cancel her weekly shopping order as she was not going to be at home following two weeks of treatment at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock.
Lynn was actually ready to be discharged on Thursday but was told she had to wait until Monday before she could receive an ambulance to transport her to the ferry. Despite the nurses’ best efforts to secure transport, they had no success and were told they needed to provide 48 hours’ notice. Lynn picks up the story: ‘I resigned myself to reading more books on my Kindle and relying on my cousin Claire in Kilmarnock to do another load of washing for me.
‘I couldn’t take the risk of going to Ardrossan by taxi in case there was a problem with the ferry.
‘So I phoned the Co-op to cancel my weekly order.’
Hearing the disappoinment in Lynn’s voice, Liz aked Lynn how she was recovering and was astounded to hear of the situation Lynn found herself in.
Phoning
Liz immediately sprang into action and started phoning around to see how she could help.
Liz told the Banner: ‘When I heard of Lynn’s predicament I thought this is not right. Lynn is a lovely lady and I knew that whatever obstacles were in her way of getting home and recovering, they could surely be overcome.’
She negotiated with two taxi companies, Mainland Taxis on the mainland and ARC Private Hire on Arran, and secure assisted boarding at Ardrossan after speaking to Brodick port manager Colin McCort.
With these arrangements in place Liz convinced the nurses at Crosshouse to discharge Lynn, although there were some good-humoured quips about Lynn being returned home via a Co-op delivery van.
Lynn added: ‘It all went smoothly and I was home by 6pm on Thursday. Liz also had my shopping delivered later in the evening.
‘I am very, very grateful to Liz Mclean and Carol Harwood from the Co-op, Colin McCort at CalMac, Mainland Taxis and ARC Private Hire, as well as the helicopter service, the nurses and staff at Arran Hospital and all at ward 2F at Crosshouse.’
In addition to Liz being characteristically humble about her accomplishment and refusing to take all of the credit for her assistance, she is going to write to Arran MP Patricia Gibson to see what can be done to prevent such a situation arising again.
Liz is due to be presented with her BEM next month.