Staff at Bristol’s Children’s Hospital are to gather under the famous hoops today to pay tribute to popular porter Charlie Maloney, who has passed away.
The 71-year-old died a few weeks ago, and his funeral is being held today. Staff who are on duty today so can’t attend in person are meeting to hold a minute’s silence to remember Charlie, who worked at the hospital for more than 20 years.
Charlie was named on the inaugural Bristol Cool List back in 2017, after Bristol Live was inundated with nominations for him to be included. A spokesperson for the children’s hospital said he was so friendly and well known that patients came back to the hospital just to see him.
“Charlie was a hugely popular member of the hospital team and was able to create a great rapport with patients, parents and staff,” she said. “He always had a joke or a kind word to share and nothing was ever too much trouble. Many of our patients have wanted to come back to the hospital just to see Charlie!
“In 2017 he was voted the 15th on the Bristol Evening Post’s list of the Coolest Bristolians, an accolade he truly deserved although we think he should have been higher,” she added.
Charlie retired in December 2021 – just a month under 20 years in the job he began at the start of January 2002. The father-of-three from Horfield had a career in Bristol’s aerospace industry but said he was ‘drawn to the job’ back at the start of the 2000s following the loss of his baby daughter in 1983, and because he always wanted to work with children.
He told his wife that he was only going to be working at the children’s hospital for a year, but it ended up being 20. His job was far more than just simply moving patients around and greeting them at the entrance – he was a friend and support to thousands of children and their families.
He had the amazing ability to remember everyone he helped – one of the nominations for the Cool List back in 2017 came from a parent who returned to the hospital for the first time in years and Charlie not only recognised her, but remembered her son and her other children’s names.
“Charlie sadly passed away a few weeks ago after a short illness,” said a hospital spokesperson. “We are sending our heartfelt best wishes to his family today. We hope that knowing so many treasured memories are held here at the hospital will bring them some comfort at this sad time.
“In honour and respect of Charlie, many of our staff members are meeting outside under the hospital hoops at 1.30pm today for a minute’s silence,” she added.