Gemma’s ‘treasure hunt’ finds missing ring

A couple who have been married for more than 60 years were reunited with a lost wedding ring thanks to a dedicated hospital worker.

Gemma King, registered nursing associate with the dementia team at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, swung into action after Carole and Gerald Thomas discovered Gerald’s ring was missing.

Retired builder Gerald, 85, had been an in-patient at the hospital for several weeks following a fall, and the ring is thought to have been lost when he was moved between wards.

Carole, 80, said: “I thought it was lost forever – I never thought we would be able to get it back.

“But Gemma was fantastic and was determined to find it, and she managed to track it down to the hospital laundry in Ashford.

“They found two rings and I knew immediately which one was Gerald’s, and we were absolutely delighted to have it back.”

The couple, who live in Herne Bay and have two children and two grandchildren, renewed their vows last year for their golden wedding anniversary. Gemma arranged for hospital chaplain Chinedu Udonsi to bless the rings again in a ceremony on the ward.

Carole said: “It was a really lovely thing for Gemma to do, she has been absolutely marvellous.

“Gerald has had that same ring for the whole time we have been married so we would have been devastated if we didn’t get it back.

“Her care while he has been in hospital has been wonderful, from visiting him to play music on her phone to making sure we as a family understand what is going on. We are so grateful for her care and compassion.”

Gemma said: “I was delighted to be able to help Carole and Gerald and reunite them with the missing ring – it was almost like looking for lost treasure!

“It was a team effort with colleagues from laundry and then our fantastic chaplain who did the blessing, which was a very special moment for everyone.”