A hospital volunteer is using the personal trauma of losing both his legs to inspire patients at Watford General Hospital who are coming to terms with their own limb loss and health challenges.
During National Volunteers’ Week, West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is celebrating the incredible contribution of its volunteers by shining a spotlight on just one of the many impactful roles across its hospitals, Trauma Volunteer, and the people behind it. Across Watford General, St Albans City Hospital and Hemel Hempstead Hospital, hundreds of volunteers give their time to support patients, visitors and staff, making a lasting difference every day.
61 year old Mark Riddington, originally from Watford, lost a leg over 20 years ago following a work accident where he slipped from a roof. In 2018 Mark sadly lost his other leg in a motorbike accident.
Mark’s life altering experiences have not held him back. In fact, they inspired him to support and motivate individuals navigating the same thoughts and emotions as they come to terms with limb loss or other traumatic medical challenges.
Mark himself, when coming to terms with the loss of his second leg, was inspired and supported by a fellow patient in his 80s with a prosthetic leg, who said a simple sentence that changed everything: “Lad, just get up and do something.” Mark was walking within six weeks.
Taking this newfound ethos, Mark set up his own charity and started volunteering at Watford General Hospital, taking a very different approach to most volunteers.
“During my visit I will speak to every patient, and I won't leave their bed until I've got a smile on their face,” Mark proudly describes. “The trust is already built between us as soon as they see me. The minute they open their eyes and see a 61 year old guy with two false legs bouncing into their bed, covered in coloured tattoos with a big smile trying to cheer them up, we have an instant connection.”
Mark is proud to be part of what he calls the “1% club” of double amputees who walk instead of using a wheelchair, something he uses to inspire the patients he meets and to demonstrate what is possible with determination and the right mindset.
Mark emphasises that while he has experienced significant physical trauma, it is his mindset that keeps him going and he encourages patients to believe they can do the same. He has even had the phrase ‘No Pain, No Gain’ tattooed across his back.
On a recent shift, Mark spoke to a patient, Michael, who had suffered a fall from a ladder, an experience similar to Mark’s own. Mark introduces himself as being held together by “duct tape, plates and screws”, and by the end of the visit Michael had a smile on his face and a renewed sense of optimism.
Michael said:
“Mark is truly inspirational and makes such a huge difference to so many patients. His positivity and encouragement mean more than words can say when you’re going through something like this.”
At the end of the visit, Mark said to Michael:
“You give me something back as well. Because when someone is sitting there at 80 years of age, you could quite easily give up. But you’re not going to.”
Despite ongoing daily challenges, including managing his own physical pain and supporting his wife, Beverley, through her recent cancer diagnosis, Mark’s resilience and positivity continue to shine through.
No matter what life throws at him, his determination to lift others and make every day better for patients in similar situations is unmistakable.
Clearly, volunteering has helped Mark as much as he has helped others:
“The reason I’m motivated to visit patients in hospital is that I can be me and still help someone. I can be loud, colourful and put a smile on people’s faces, all while giving back to the NHS what they've given to me.”
Kelly McGovern, Chief Nurse at West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said:
“On behalf of the Trust, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our volunteers, whose generosity of time, compassion and dedication make such a meaningful difference to patients, families and staff every single day. During National Volunteers’ Week, we are especially proud to recognise their contribution across all of our hospitals. Their support helps create a more caring and welcoming environment for everyone who walks through our doors, and we are deeply grateful for everything they do.”
Mark’s story is just one example of how volunteering can transform lives, both for the people receiving support and those giving it.
Find out more about volunteering with West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust at: https://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/join-us/volunteering