Hospitalised referee caught in tackle praises West Berkshire Therapy Centre care

A referee who was left with a shattered hip after a “bizarre” footballing incident has praised the “invaluable” treatment he received from a Thatcham therapy centre.

Doug Cook was hospitalised for 63 days after being caught up in a football tackle between two players.

Mr Cook fell on to the concrete ground surrounding the astro-turf playing area.

He subsequently had to have an operation and has since praised the NHS staff for their physiotherapy aid.

Mr Cook has expressed his appreciation for the “invaluable” service provided by the West Berkshire Therapy Centre.

He told the Newbury Weekly News, in a handwritten letter: “Having now spent the last three months at this gem of a place I felt I had to write to you.

“The staff are all friendly, supportive and professional in their approach to their clients.

“I have certainly improved my mobility since finding the West Berkshire Therapy Centre.”

Mr Cook, from Newbury, is visiting the Thatcham-based organisation twice a week for his supplementary physiotherapy needs.

West Berkshire Therapy Centre volunteer and trustee John Holt said it was fantastic to hear of how Mr Cook felt.

He said: "It is really great that someone felt that they could do that [write a letter].

"Right from the first week that we were open we were getting messages about how the service was appreciated.

"They say how much easier it is to climb the stairs or sleep in their beds at night. They say within a few weeks I can go shopping, I can walk the dog, I can get on with my daily life tasks. These are the things we take for granted."

Prior to opening eight and half years ago, Mr Holt said there was a great deal of developing of the service which has now evolved with the growing needs of clients.

He said the organisation uses client needs in order to tailor new pieces of equipment, of which it has 11, to specific needs.

"It is always a fantastic feeling when someone says you have changed my life," he added. "That is what we are about. Life is meant to be happy.

"Every time I go to the centre someone will tell me about how our services made their life better.

"It makes us feel good about what we are doing.

"We all love working here."