Conference gave an emotional five-minute standing ovation this morning to Birmingham Branch chair Paul Maloney, who suffered life-threatening injuries when he was the victim of a criminal assault last year.
Paul was hit by a car, that was driven at him deliberately and so severe were his injuries that he was placed in an induced coma for over a month, after which he underwent intensive treatment in an NHS orthopaedic centre.
Despite his disabilities, Paul is determined to resume his CWU duties on behalf of Birmingham members who have re-elected him as branch chair and have been raising funds to help towards the cost of specialised equipment and building alterations that he will need going forward.
As well as holding collections, other fund-raising activities have included Midlands divisional rep Paul Kennedy completing an indoor triathlon and conference delegates running a prize-winning raffle, efforts which, so far, have raised several thousand pounds.
As our honoured guest at conference this morning, Paul Maloney spoke from his wheelchair and thanked union members for their support and solidarity.
“I want to thank everyone in the whole CWU family,” he said, and spoke about the difficulties of living with his condition.
“Last night, I had a bit of a bad turn and we had to call the hospital,” he told delegates, adding that two nurses had come to his hotel room to assist him, and then sparking laughter from conference when he added with a broad smile: “Two nurses in my room eh?”
Paul talked further about the dedication and care given to him by health professionals and urged everyone to give their full support to junior doctors and other medical staff, saying: “Without them, I wouldn’t be here today – support the junior doctors, nurses, ambulance workers and all our NHS staff.”
He concluded by thanking everyone once again and received the longest and warmest standing ovation of the week.