Poppy dresses like her NHS receptionist mum for hero-themed fundraiser

An NHS receptionist told how her ‘heart melted’ when daughter Poppy chose to dress in her mum’s work outfit for a hero-themed school fundraiser.

Sharon Taylor said her 10-year-old announced that she wanted to wear the clerical costume when the family discussed ideas for the event.

She said:

“There was information in the school newsletter and it said they had to dress as a hero for the day.

“You expect children to want to get dressed as a princess or someone they’ve seen on TV, so when Poppy said she wanted to go as me it was so lovely. My heart just melted and I wanted to cry.

“I thought ‘I must be doing something right here’, for her to say that.”

Charles Darwin Community Primary School in Northwich had organised the ‘Dress as Your Hero’ event to encourage families to donate tombola items for a fundraiser.

Some pupils decided to don capes, masks or costumes inspired by their favourite heroes from comics and movies.

But Poppy Sayle had other ideas and asked her mum, who works at Victoria Infirmary Northwich, if she could make an NHS receptionist outfit so she could go as her.

Poppy, who has three sisters and a brother, said: 

“I just want to help people like mummy does.”

To create the outfit, Sharon found one of her old work blouses and an empty lanyard.

She then made a pretend identity card with Poppy’s name on.

When her daughter arrived at school, the staff were very impressed.

Sharon said:

“They all just thought she looked so good.

“Poppy enjoyed it so much she didn’t want to take the outfit off when she got home until it was bedtime. She even sat there wearing it while she was eating her dinner.”

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust this week celebrated Poppy’s choice of hero as part of National Administrative Professionals Day, which is staged each year to thank office staff who keep everything running smoothly.

This year’s celebration takes place on Wednesday, 24 April. There will be Administrative Professionals Day stands at the Crossroads at Leighton Hospital and at Infinity House, from 10am to 4pm, to mark the occasion and provide information about roles at the Trust.

Sharon joined the Trust in May 2022 as a receptionist and clerical worker after always harbouring an ambition to find a role in the NHS.

The 46-year-old had worked in the motor industry for a number of years and said she struggled to contain her excitement when she was told her interview had been successful.

She said:

“I just squealed because I was so pleased. I was absolutely made up that I’d got the job.”

Sharon works as a receptionist and clerical worker in the main entrance of the hospital on Winnington Street.

She said:

“No two days are the same and I absolutely love it. I love the community side of it as well, with the people who come in for their regular appointments. I really enjoy getting to know them and chatting to them.”

Sharon believes it is important that organisations continue to celebrate National Administrative Professionals Day.

She said:

“The NHS is a big team effort and receptionists and clerical workers are an important cog that’s part of that.”

Nicola Price, Chief People Officer at Mid Cheshire Hospitals, said:

“Across our Trust we have around 1,300 admin and clerical staff who are such a vital part of everything we do. These colleagues are often the first point of contact for many people and can be involved throughout a patient’s care. They provide a fantastic foundation for us to offer the best services, which are centred on patients’ needs.”

For more information about roles at Mid Cheshire Hospitals, visit: 

https://www.mcht.nhs.uk/work-us/current-vacancies

Pictured - Mid Cheshire Hospitals receptionist and clerical worker Sharon Taylor with daughter Poppy Sayle.