A new charity initiative from London Ambulance Service, which helps people at the end of their lives create precious memories with their loved ones, has given a terminally ill fan their wish to watch their beloved Brentford FC one last time.
London Ambulance Service paramedics volunteered their free time to give Paul Simpson, 69, from Isleworth, and his wife Wendy, 68, a special night watching the Bees, transporting them with care to the Gtech Community Stadium while providing comfort and support along the way. The couple were accompanied by paramedics Lena Ricci-Hodgson, Elizabeth Randon and Ben Evans.
Paul has been a lifelong Brentford FC fan and a season-ticket holder since he was 11 years old. He has supported the club as it progressed from the lower leagues to become a Premier League regular, but he thought his terminal, end-stage heart failure would mean he could never attend another match.
His end-of-life care team contacted the London Wish Ambulance volunteer team, which arranged for him to attend Brentford’s Premier League fixture against Chelsea on Friday 18 September.
Paul and Wendy watched Brentford’s 3-0 victory over local rivals Chelsea from the comfort of a stadium box provided by the club. The evening included an emotional reunion with fellow season-ticket holders whom Paul had sat alongside for years and had not seen since he stopped attending matches due to his poor health. Former Brentford players also popped in to say hello to Paul and Wendy.
Paul said:
“Watching Brentford one last time was amazing. I honestly thought I would never get the chance. But that night was about more than just football; it was a chance to spend time with friends and family. Thank you to everyone involved who helped make this happen.”
Wendy said:
“It was an overwhelming experience that went better than expected. It was so lovely seeing Paul watch his beloved Brentford alongside his old friends. The crews on the day were so friendly and helpful, and I think they are Brentford fans now.”
Deputy Director of Clinical Quality Operations Ben Evan said:
“It was an incredible evening to be part of. I led the creation of the London Wish Ambulance because I believe that when time is limited, helping people create special memories with those they love really matters. Seeing that come to life for Paul, surrounded by Wendy and his friends was incredibly moving, it’s exactly what the Wish Ambulance was created to make possible.”
Here are some examples of how your donation might help:
- Money towards the cost of the experience – concert tickets, fish and chips on the seafront, a visit to the zoo – with your donation, you will be helping to get our Wish participant exactly where they want to be.
- A small gift could pay for a cup of tea or a meal for the Wish participant and their loved ones on their trip, or a cup of coffee for the paramedics who are volunteering their time and expertise to make this a possibility.
- A donation towards fuel for the ambulance as we pick up our Wish participant and their loved ones and take them where they and their loved ones most want to go – even if that’s simply a trip back to the family home for a day.
A small gift will make a difference, so please, if you would like to donate, give only what you can here.
