STAFF members on the E3 ward in Basingstoke Hospital went ‘above and beyond’ to make a patient’s 64th wedding anniversary unforgettable.

When staff members discovered that a patient, Bob Mann, and his wife Eileen were set to commemorate their 64th anniversary on August 8, they decorated Bob’s bed with balloons, bells and cards and arranged for a photographer to come and take photos of the special day.

However, Mr Mann died in the early hours of Saturday, August 26 which the family has said made the effort that the staff of the E3 ward made particularly special.

The couple’s son, Chris Mann said: “My dad was overjoyed and really surprised by what the hospital had organised for him and my mum.

“People often knock the NHS but I really can’t fault them for this, they have gone the extra mile to make this special for my parents when they really didn’t have to.”

Bob and Eileen met when they were both serving in the Royal Navy.

In those days serving members could not both stay in the navy if married so Eileen left and pair tied the knot.

Bob had been on the E3 ward for a few weeks and was expecting the occasion to be just like a normal day, with Chris saying he did not expect a fuss to be made.

The pair celebrated with their family members and friends who visited throughout the day to help them mark the occasion.

The efforts of the staff on this occasion meant that Eileen and Chris Mann had photographs and memories to remember Bob and the special occasion.

Chris said it highlighted the extra work that the staff at the hospital were doing alongside their life-saving work.

He added: “I am so grateful to the E3 staff for what they did for my parents, they absolutely loved the day and being surrounded by family members.

“They made that day such a special one and were so kind in his last days, I have nothing but admiration for the staff and this hospital.”

Staff at the hospital said they felt privileged to know the happy couple and added it was a fantastic achievement to reach the milestone.

The family said they especially wanted to thank the ward sister, Jean and a member of staff, Paul, who particularly went out of their way to make the day special for Bob and Eileen.

The family added they would like to send their appreciation to the hospital as a whole and the rest of the staff for caring for Bob and all the effort they made to make Bob’s last anniversary with Eileen special and memorable.

The Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital receives around 47,000 admissions but Chris added they still managed to go the extra mile for one of their many patients, which was at an all important time for Bob, Eileen and their family.