I was wondering whether, in your paper, I could thank some people who  came to my aid on Thursday, 7th December.

I was walking in the park between Withies Park and Staddlestones early that morning at 7.45am.

My husband and I, ironically, always take a brisk two mile walk in the morning to attempt to keep fit! I tripped and fell headlong gashing my head and dislocating my shoulder. No sooner had I done it than several people came to my aid even though I did not know them.

My husband called an ambulance and, despite my being 74, in pain and lying on a cold, muddy path, the emergency service said that it would be several hours before any ambulance could come to my aid. I was unable to move my arm and the pain was such that I couldn’t get up.

A gentleman, called Bob, who had just stood back and opened one of the gates for me, provided a blanket to shield me from the wind. Someone else put something soft behind my head. A nurse came along and, despite having a small child in a pushchair to deal with, came to my aid cleaning my head wound and providing reassurance. I know her name was Jo. Another lady provided tissues for cleaning my head.

After roughly forty-five minutes, another lady, Jackie, came on the scene, asking whether an ambulance had been called. When told the situation, (I do not know how she managed it) she soon called to me that the ambulance would be with me in fifteen minutes. Sure enough they were. Meanwhile she provided me with a ‘space blanket’ to keep warm.

From then on I cannot fault the ambulance service and the RUH, who did all necessary X-rays and scans and who looked after me in an efficient, caring manner.

Can I thank the gentleman, Bob, who provided the blanket, Jo, the nurse, Jackie who called the ambulance and provided the space blanket, the ambulance men who were kindness itself and the staff who dealt with me in the RUH.

I am now back walking, very carefully, and am trying to remember to pick my feet up!