Boro legend Tony Mowbray dropped in to meet with NHS volunteers – paying tribute to the role they play.
Tony, who made more than 300 appearances for Middlesbrough Football Club, met with hospital radio volunteers at the University Hospital of North Tees to record an interview for the station’s Saturday morning show.
The visit was arranged after David Johnson, who has been volunteering with the station over the last three years, wrote to Tony.
David said: “I emailed Tony around the idea of coming in and – to my surprise – he came back and he was interested. I was buzzing!”
During the visit, Tony met the wider hospital radio team and sat down for an in-depth interview about his career and life outside of football.
Speaking to the team of volunteers, Tony, who was treated successfully for bowel cancer last year, said: “In many ways, the NHS is similar to football in terms of the camaraderie – everyone working together, sometimes in the background, for a common goal.
“Whenever I have needed treatment I have always felt so well looked after and safe.
“During my treatment, that started with the surgeon, building up that trust and feeling like the whole team were on my side and were going to give everything they could to help me.
“Volunteers like yourselves are giving up your own time to help make other people’s lives more comfortable – that is brilliant and I am more than happy to do anything I can to support you all.”
“The team have given me so much confidence”
David, who has autism, has thanked the volunteers at the station for the personal support they have given him.
He said: “I actually live quite far away up in Jarrow – but I had heard good things about hospital radio here.
“Ever since volunteering here the team have given me so much confidence in meeting new people – I never would have done this without them.
“They have given me confidence and because of them I get to do what I love – speaking to people on the radio. The support I have had has been unreal.”
Mick Pearce, one of the station volunteers, said: “David is brilliant, he’s fabulous. I wish I had the drive he’s got. When you listen to his stuff it’s fantastic.”