Terminally ill grandma thanks Bents Park staff for powering her oxygen machine so she could enjoy concert

Beatrice Ord with some of her grandchildren Paige Hamilton,Ellie Purvis, Jay Rannigan, Kelsey Hamilton, Nicole Rannigan, Alisha Hamilton.

Beatrice Ord, 79, suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and was worried her daily health battles would stop her going to the annual Bents Park gigs she loves.

But thanks to kind staff at South Tyneside Council last Sunday, she was able to charge her nebulizer machine which supplies her oxygen – meaning that Beatrice, from Inverness Road, was able to enjoy performances from the likes of Alexandra Burke.

Tracey Purvis with her mum Beatrice Ord.

Now the great-grandmother has thanked staff members Craig Thompson and Richard Jago for making the day extra-special.

She said: “I want to give a big thank you to all the staff who helped me at Bents Park.

“If it wasn’t for them, I would have had to go home and would have missed a really enjoyable event.”

Her daughter and full-time carer, Tracey Purvis, 44, from Oban Street, Jarrow, was delighted with how the council rushed to help her mum.

Beatrice Ord at the Bents Park gig where she was treat like a VIP recieving a inflatable mobile phone as a gift.

She said: “My mum is on oxygen 24 hours a day and has to carry it with her.

“Four times a day she has to use a machine called a nebulizer, which puts liquid into her lungs and helps her to breathe by opening her airways.

“We needed to find a plug socket for her to plug in her nebulizer machine, otherwise we would have to take her home.

“But the council staff were brilliant, they took her into the annexe building they have on site and gave her a plug, let her use the toilets instead of queuing and gave her refreshments.  “She was so grateful and had the time of her life, as she loves Alexandra Burke.

Beatrice Ord with family and friends. Carole Hamilton, Kelly Rannigan, Emma Hamilton, Emma Rannigan, Kelsey Purvis, Tracey Purvis, Norman Ord, Cain Ord, Emma Murdy .

“She goes to Bents Park for the concerts every year and now she has been told she might not have long left. It is all about making memories for her through events such as this.”

Now the family plan to take Beatrice to see The Proclaimers at the park tomorrow, knowing the council will be on hand to help.  Councillor Alan Kerr, deputy leader of South Tyneside Council, said: “I am delighted that the hard work and dedication of our staff to residents and visitors to the borough has been recognised in this way.

“Our staff on duty at Bents Park have a vital role to play keeping the public safe at large-scale events as this example clearly demonstrates.

“We really appreciate Mrs Ord taking the time to thank our staff for their actions. Her kind words will really help to boost the morale of our staff and we are glad that she had a wonderful time.”