Local decorator reunited with childhood nurse

Local decorator Sean Wilkinson was reunited with his lifesaving childhood nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital after Dulux Select Decorators - a scheme which he is a member of - raised ££2,330 for them.

After being given a new lease of life as a child following major surgery to repair heart defects, Sean has been seeking the opportunity to give something back for over 30 years. As a long standing member of the Dulux Select Decorator scheme, he was asked to organise the ladies raffle at the 2010 Dulux Select Decorator of the Year Awards. Speaking about the opportunity, Sean said: "I jumped at the chance when they said I could choose the charity. My first thought was of Great Ormond Street hospital which had helped me all those years ago".

After raising ££2,330 for a new cardiac ward, Sean was invited down to the hospital to present the cheque with a representative from the Dulux Select Decorators head office. "We turned up armed with several cuddly Dulux dogs, as well as a get well card from 1976 signed by all the doctors and nurses who had cared for me. I was in complete disbelief when one of the signatures was a nurse who was working that day, more than 30 years later!" commented Sean.

"It was wonderful for me to be able to personally thank someone who had cared for me all those years ago, as without them I wouldn't be here today. I will continue to support Great Ormond Street Hospital for many years to come because it's so special to my heart.