A couple who met when they literally bumped into each other in Glasgow have celebrated their golden wedding anniversary … and have donated the proceeds to the NHS team who cared for them during a difficult five-month stay in hospital.
Gordon Thallon, 77, and his wife Valerie, 78, from Kirkintilloch, handed over a cheque for £1700 to the Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit, as thanks for the care and rehabilitation Gordon received there.
The couple celebrated their golden anniversary on 29th August, 51 years to the day from when they met.
“I first laid eyes on Gordon when he literally bumped into me in the street,” said Valerie. “I was shopping in St Vincent Street when it happened and, being the gentleman he is, he asked if he could take me for a coffee to say sorry.
“We got married exactly a year later and the rest, as they say, is history!”
The couple held an anniversary celebration for 49 family and friends at the Garfield House Hotel in Stepps and, rather than receiving gifts, they asked for donations to the National Spinal Injuries Unit, part of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus.
“We couldn’t believe how generous everyone was,” said Gordon. “Even people who couldn’t attend donated to our fund, which we’re really grateful for.”
Earlier this week, Gordon and Valerie returned to the National Spinal Injuries Unit to present the cheque to Dr Mariel Purcell, Consultant in Spinal Injuries and Lead Clinician at the Unit, and Lead Nurse Helena Richmond.
Gordon had spent five months in the unit in 2019, after being diagnosed with a condition called an AV dural fistula causing paraplegia. He was left with limited control of his body below the waist, but that hasn’t stopped the couple making the most of their lot.
“Life can be difficult, but we get along fine,” said Gordon. “It’s not what we wanted at our age and I’m so aware of, and grateful for, everything that Valerie does for me.
“But we still have so much to look forward to.”
In fact, on Monday (29th September), the couple leave for a special holiday in Switzerland. It was a surprise anniversary gift from Gordon – and Valerie is “beyond excited” about the trip after the stresses of preparing for the anniversary celebration.
Gordon still receives annual check-ups with the Spinal Injuries team, and he has nothing but praise for the care he received there.
“I’ve always been treated very well,” he said. “I feel like they see me as a person, and not just a patient, and that’s very important to me.
“I’d just like to thank them all – and I hope this small gift can go some way to giving something back to them.”
Helena Richmond said: “We’d like to express our gratitude to Gordon and Valerie for their fund-raising efforts, and for their wonderful donation.
“The funds will be put to good use, helping us to continue to improve the comfort and facilities in our Day Room.”
Dr Purcell said: “Throughout the Spinal Injuries Unit, our staff work tirelessly to treat patients and give them the tools to live well when they go home.
“Many patients, like Gordon, can be with us for a considerable period, and we often develop close relationships with them and their loved ones. It’s because of those relationships that kind donations like this one are particularly special, and they give all our staff a real boost in these challenging times.
“On behalf of everyone at the Spinal Injuries Unit, I would like to thank Gordon and Valerie for this wonderful gift.”
