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Kent Fire Service praised by Whitstable family for helping get terminally-ill man out of his house
05:00, 06 November 2021
The family of a terminally-ill man captured the emotional moment he was helped out of his home by firefighters as he left the house for only the second time since the pandemic struck.
Great-grandad Gordon Foreman – who has been feeling low in isolation – had been desperate to get outside and spend precious time with loved ones at a cafe.
His sister Sylvia Foreman requested the help of the fire service to get him down the steps outside his home in Millstrood Road, Whitstable.
They obliged and 77-year-old Gordon, who is having palliative care, was able to visit The Beach Cafe on the town’s seafront to spend time with his family, before the crew helped him back into his house.
His wife, Susan Foreman, 66, said: “My sister-in-law arranged to get my husband out of the house because he hadn’t been out since the first lockdown, apart from one appointment at the hospital.
“He only walks on a zimmer and we have high steps outside the front of our house, which go up quite a slope.
“It was going to be in his wheelchair, but being a man and because there were four firemen, he was adamant he wasn’t going to go in it.
“They walked him on his zimmer with two at the back and two at the front.”
Retired lorry driver Gordon was diagnosed with prostate cancer more than three years ago and was given a terminal diagnosis during the first lockdown.
Susan said: “The more he is inside, the more low and depressed he gets, and that doesn’t help his illness whatsoever.
“I would like to thank the fire service from the bottom of my heart because they do not realise how emotional it was that day.
“They made something come true that we didn’t think would happen this year, and it meant everything to us.
“To see him walking out of the gate with the fire crew, and a smile on his face after watching him day in, day out, was priceless.”
Nick Salt, station manager at Whitstable fire station, said: “We’re very proud to be part of our local community and we’re here to help whenever we can.
“We were more than happy to assist Mr Foreman at his time of need, which enabled him to spend some precious time with his loved ones.
“It was wonderful to see how much the occasion meant to Mr Foreman and his family.
"Our thoughts continue to be with them at this difficult time.”
