Vicky McClure visit to QMC puts smile on young patients’ faces by reading them her new book

As part of her recent visit to Nottingham to promote her new book, ‘Castle Rock Mystery Crew’, actress Vicky McClure MBE visited the Children’s Ward and the Teenage Cancer Trust Unit at Nottingham University Hospital’s Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC).

The Line of Duty star spent time with patients and their families on the wards and unit and read Chapter 5 from her first children’s book, which she wrote in collaboration with Kim Curran. The book is inspired by her work with the Dementia Choir and by her caravan holidays as a child growing up. Vicky kindly donated copies of the book to patients.

The story, aimed at ages 9-12 focuses on 10-year-old Jase, who is spending the summer holidays at the Castle Rock caravan park with his auntie and grandma, who has dementia. Young patients at the QMC were captivated by Vicky’s reading, which helped to take their mind off being in hospital.

Jamie-Lee Phillipson, Lead Hospital Play Specialist for the Children’s Hospital at NUH said: “It was so kind of Vicky to visit and do a special reading for our patients, it really made their day. We are going to sit with some of our patients and help them read the rest of the book as it sounds like a great story that I am sure our patients will enjoy reading it. We would like to thank Vicky for her kindness and generosity and for visiting the ward. Everyone was delighted to see her, and we enjoyed the reading.”

Vicky McClure MBE said: “It was lovely to be able to spend some time at E39 Teenage Cancer Unit and on the Children’s Ward. I am proud to support Teenage Cancer Trust, who I have worked closely with for 10 years. It is a cause close to my heart, so it was a privilege as always to spend some time on the unit. It’s tough being in hospital when you are so young, so if my visit put a smile on people’s faces, even just for a short while, it’s worth it and important to make time for my community.

“The book is all about friendship, elements of dementia and an exciting mystery to solve with the help of Nana Rose who was an ex-police officer. All the characters have got different family set ups and there’s a variety of characters that I hope young readers will be able to relate to. I enjoyed reading to everyone at the QMC and I hope they will enjoy the copies I left for them, and it will allow them to escape and take their mind of things, even if just for a little while.”

Anthony May, Chief Executive of NUH, welcomed Vicky to the Trust and took the opportunity to congratulate her on her recent MBE and thank her for all her support. He said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Vicky to the Trust and hear about her new book. Vicky has always been a great support to NUH and to Nottingham. I would like to thank her on behalf of our staff, patients, volunteers, and visitors for taking the time to visit our young patients today and for all her support to our community. Vicky is a very kind person, and we appreciate all she does for our hospitals.”