
A Heysham couple have celebrated their wedding anniversary by planting a tree at a Lancaster hospital to mark another very special occasion - the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Steve and Helen Trainor were at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI) today for the planting of a pussy willow tree outside the Ashton Road clinic, to mark Her Majesty the Queen's 70 year reign.
Steve, a bus driver and local fundraiser, said the Queen has "served us well so let's honour her".
"Today is my wedding anniversary and it's four years ago since my wife and I got married. So we'll be celebrating that this weekend too."
LISTEN to Steve Trainor talking about today's tree planting:
The tree was paid for by Steve, donations from the Morecambe Poppyscatter group, and Shadaba Ahmed, an ear, nose and throat consultant at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.
Steve is pictured below planting the tree with Sarah Rees, non-executive director at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust, Councillor Joyce Pritchard, mayor of Lancaster, and Shadaba Ahmed.
Earlier this year, Steve donated a bench to the RLI to thank key workers for their efforts during the Covid pandemic.
Steve said he was only "four hours from death" when he was taken into the Royal Lancaster Infirmary with Covid and pneumonia in 2020, and says he is only alive today due to the "skill and dedication" of NHS staff.
Related story: Heysham bus driver's emotional gift to Lancaster hospital after staff saved his life - Beyond Radio
Steve has also been raising money for a memorial bench in tribute to two-year-old George Hinds, who lost his life in a gas explosion in Heysham last year. The bench is due to be unveiled at Happy Mount Park in July, subject to final approval.