Sunderland NHS worker bowled over by this touching thank you card from her former headteacher - after more than 20 years

Alex Bute, an auxiliary nurse at Sunderland Royal Hospital, said she was “overwhelmed” when she received an unexpected thank you card in the post from her Broadway Junior School teacher.

The note, sent by former headteacher Margarita Acklam arrived in the post at the 28-year-old’s Grindon home last week - more than 20 years since the two last had any contact.

After seeing a video of Alex and her NHS colleagues taking part in the Clap for Our Carers event, Miss Acklam said she couldn’t “begin to express” how proud she was when she saw her former pupil putting her “life on the life” for everyone else.

She went onto say that while she was proud of all Broadway pupils what Alex was doing was “on a much bigger scale”.

“I was overwhelmed when I received her lovely card - it was completely out of the blue, I didn’t expect it at all,” said the mum-of-one.

“To think that she has gone out of her way to send such a heartwarming uplifting gesture, her words are so appreciated.

She added: “That’s the kind of special lady she is, always thinking of others even in her retirement.

“She is an inspiration to the many children she has taught.”

Alex, who has worked at the hospital for nine years - eight of them in the A&E department - is currently one of those coming face to face with the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on a daily basis.

As of Monday, April 20 a total of 898 people have tested positive for the virus in Sunderland.

The hospital’s NHS trust has recorded that 191 people being treated in Sunderland and South Tyneside hospitals have sadly died.

“It’s obviously very stressful and upsetting but I couldn’t ask for a better team, everyone at Sunderland A&E department is amazing,” said Alex.

“Miss Acklam always was the best headteacher and I want to thank her for getting me where I am today.”

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