A TEENAGE piper saluted the brave work of frontline NHS workers by performing outside a hospital during International Nurses Day.

Charlie Shaw, a member of Johnstone Pipe Band, played to a grateful audience of staff and patients in the gardens of the spinal injuries and physically-disabled rehabilitation units at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH).

Nurses joined the 19-year-old former Renfrew High School pupil as he strolled around the gardens, before making his way to the Institute of Neurosciences and Spinal Unit (INS), where patients could enjoy the entertainment from their windows.

Charlie, from Renfrew, said he was honoured to play his part in paying tribute to nurses who are risking their lives to help others.

“I was delighted to be able to help celebrate International Nurses Day,” he told The Gazette. “The nurses are doing an incredible job in a really tough environment just now.

“My mum spent many years working in the spinal unit, so it was hugely rewarding to be back at her old place of work and great to see the smiles on the faces of patients and nurses.

“We should always celebrate our frontline staff but this year, more than any, I was proud to be part of the day.”

Mary Hannah, spinal education nurse at the QEUH, said it was an emotional moment when Charlie began playing the pipes for staff and patients.

She added: “Charlie’s playing brought a tear to many of the staff and patients, along with the poems written, rainbows drawn and stories shared.

“Our thanks go to Charlie and everyone else who made this day the success it was.”

Charlie’s dad John, who is a councillor for Renfrew North and Braehead, also commended his son’s performance on social media.

In a post on his Facebook page last week, Councillor Shaw said: “Great to see my son Charlie do a wee stint piping at the Queen Elizabeth for International Nurses Day 2020.

“His mammy spent many years there as a nurse in the spinal unit, so he was delighted to get to it when asked.

“Thanks to Mary Hannah for inviting him along. Those Johnstone Pipe Band pipers fair get aboot!”

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