VE Day Ceremony at Ashford & St Peter's Hospital

12th May 2025 | News in your area

VE Day Ceremony at Ashford & St Peter’s Hospital

On Thursday 8th May, Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (ASPH) hosted a range of activities to mark 80 years of Victory in Europe, including Victory Celebratory Ceremonies held at both Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals. Children on Oak Ward produced beautiful artwork and patients were served afternoon tea on the wards. Visitors, patients and staff were also treated to a wartime music performance, themed catering at the trust’s staff restaurants and a charity cake sale at St Peter’s gave everyone a chance to buy a sweet treat.

The Lord-Lieutenant attended alongside former ASPH Chair and veteran Andy Field, and Cllr Shannon Saise Marshall. The trust also celebrated the efforts of two local veterans, Fraser Dryburgh and Graham Izzard, who cycled a challenging 80km from St Peter’s Hospital to raise awareness and fundraise for activities that the trust provides to support our Armed Forces and veteran community.

John Machin, Acting Chair of ASPH, said: “We had a marvelous day of activity across our trust. Most poignantly, our Victory Celebration Ceremonies reminded us again of the immense sacrifices and courage of those that fought and suffered during the Second World War. We take great pride in honouring our Armed Forces and veteran community and remain dedicated to offering them a high standard of care and support.”

With the VE Day flag raised over St Peter’s Hospital, the Victory Celebration Ceremony, led by the trust’s Staff Wellbeing and Pastoral Care Lead, Laurence Gamlen, was attended by staff, patients and visitors and was shared to inpatients by the hospital radio station, Radio Wey.

Armed Forces and Veterans Clinical Lead at the trust, Capt Dr Clarence Chikusu RAMS, said: “It was an honour to commemorate fellow Armed Forces members past and present. The trust is proud to support this community with activities like the monthly Veteran’s Breakfast Club on the last Friday of every month hosted by Matron Louise Russell, held at St Peter’s Hospital. This gives anyone that has served or continues to serve, space to encourage socialising and discussions around the particular healthcare challenges faced by this community. This all supports our work in being a recently reaccredited veteran aware organisation. This reaccreditation recognises the work in demonstrating the trust’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.”