Former midwife Agnes Nisbett was none the wiser when her daughter Alison Nisbett Hart suggested they enjoy a day out in London as a lovely treat.
The 87-year-old, who was a midwife when she went through the heartbreak of stillbirth in 1973 and went on to provide women who experienced the same thing a sanctuary for grieving, exuded a caring energy as she made her way with her daughter and sister Carol James, 73, to Gordon Ramsay’s The River Restaurant at the Savoy Hotel in London.
Her kind-hearted spirit and light humour touched everyone around her as complimented the waiters and sipped on a glass of wine with her family. Little did the incredible midwife know, TV chef Gordon Ramsay and his wife Tana were eagerly waiting to surprise her and announce her as this year’s Pride of Britain TSB Community Hero for her pioneering work with grieving mothers.
When Agnes returned to work many years ago after losing her son, she was desperate to make a change. She pioneered the Born Whilst Sleeping programme at Leicester Royal Infirmary and set aside a room for women where they could grieve away from other mums and their newborns in the main maternity ward, reports the Mirror.
Along with the thoughtfully dedicated room, she got clothes for the babies and encouraged the family to take photographs and palm prints to serve as treasured keepsakes. Up until her retirement in 2004, Agnes made sure to make time for women who had experienced still births and helped many navigate the cloudy days as they weathered the heartbreaking storm.
(Image: Philip Coburn)
Gordon and his wife Tana – who previously opened up about suffering a stillbirth – arrived at the restaurant through the kitchen in the back and couldn’t wait to announce the exciting news of the recognition to Agnes. When it was time for the surprise, Gordon and Tana walked out to Agnes’ table and confidently announced: “Well, good afternoon. Sorry to disturb your lunch.”
Agnes, a huge fan of Gordon and his infamous potty mouth, was lost for words at the sudden appearance of the Kitchen Nightmares star as she giggled and exclaimed: “Oh my goodness!” Gordon quipped: “Do you mind if I join you for fish and chips?” before sitting down and handing over a golden envelope: “We’re here to give you this. It’s not tickets to the theatre.”
Not only is she this year’s Pride of Britain winner, TSB also revealed they’re donating £25,000 to install boxes in Agnes’ name in the bereavement suite at Leicester Royal Infirmary and all over the UK. Gordon was delighted to be chosen to surprise the incredible midwife and told the Mirror: “We were so happy to set up the surprise for Agnes at The River Restaurant in London, with her daughter by her side she really is an inspiration. Because of her big heart and caring work over the years, many families have been supported through their devastating loss.”
(Image: Philip Coburn)
Tana had an ‘instant connection’ with Agnes and opened up about the ‘powerful moment’. She said: “Who she is and what she has done for so, so many women is incredible, impactful, and exactly why she has been given this award. Gordon and I were really honoured to be a part of her special surprise, and to talk about our own journey with a real understanding about the importance of the immediate support parents receive in those heartbreaking first moments.”
One special moment from their conversation saw Gordon tell Agnes: “Six years ago we experienced that, so we couldn’t be happier to be here.” Long after Gordon and Tana said their goodbyes and left the restaurant, Agnes was still in shock at being told she was chosen as this year’s winner.
Agnes, who insisted she wasn’t nervous about meeting Gordon, joked to us, “I think I’ll have a brandy tonight.” Agnes had no clue what was in store for her when she left the house that sunny September morning, but thanks to her daughter’s careful planning, it quickly became an afternoon to cherish.
“I can’t find the words to express [how I feel],” Agnes admitted when asked about how she felt about finally being recognised for all the important work she did over the last several decades. “I didn’t think I’ve done anything. I’m still in a dream here at the moment.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
