Linzey's story

A DEVOTED granddad who spends his time helping at The Children’s Hospital, Sheffield, is urging others to get involved and make life better for the city’s young people.
 
Linzey Scothern (62), a retired engineer, is eager for Sheffield’s public to get involved at the hospital by signing up as members and supporting the hospital’s work.
 

Dad of Geneen (32), Theresa (29) and granddad to two-year-old Thomas, Linzey is backing a new drive by the Trust to get people to sign up as members so they can have a say on important issues.
 
“I don’t think kids could get better care anywhere else,” said the hospital governor, who has spent the last year learning about how volunteers can help in many ways at the hospital.
 
“It’s caring, it’s comprehensive and effective.”
 
Linzey became a governor for the Children’s Hospital in the Shiregreen and Burngreave area in October and since then has been attending public days to sign up more members for the trust and help take decisions on issues such as recruitment and communications.
 
He is a listening ear for anyone with suggestions or ideas for the hospital and is keen for people to come to him.
 
The ex-chief petty officer, who lived in Gibraltar for two years and has spent his working life traveling the world, said: “I’m proud of being just a tiny little bit to do with the trust because it’s very well respected. I think it does an absolutely wonderful job.
 
“Everyone who works here who I talk to loves working here but we must all be working all the time to improve it and we don’t think we can sit still.”
 
Now Linzey is urging people to sign up because as the hospital is a Foundation Trust, anyone can join up as a member, allowing them to give their views on planned changes to services and to help to shape the future of the hospital.
 
Exclusive events are also on offer for members.
 
“Come and talk to me and think about becoming a member. It’s free and it will give you the satisfaction to know you can help it to succeed and be part of this community,” he added.
 
For more information, contact Linzey on linzeyscothern@hotmail.com or call him on 0114 2491481.