Roger Cresswell, a Chaplain at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, had a complete surprise for his 80th birthday - in the form of a senior Royal Family member.

Roger, who just turned 80, is the hospital's oldest serving member of staff and a popular member of the Chaplaincy team. 

To celebrate his milestone birthday, Roger - to his complete surprise - was presented to meet HRH The Princess Royal.

Roger got to speak with Princess Anne during her visit to Hinchingbrooke Hospital.

The Princess Royal visited Hinchingbrooke Hospital last week as part of her role as patron of the Royal College of Midwives.

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Roger also celebrated his birthday with a special lunch for himself and his wife Julia, which was arranged by his colleagues at the North West Anglia Foundation Trust, to thank him for his hard work.

When Roger, who is full of surprises, turned 75, he fundraised for the Special Care Baby Unit and Adult Critical Care Unit by spending his day off wing walking.

The Chaplain began working at the Trust in 2018, but volunteered for Chaplaincy Services more than a decade before.

Before his Chaplaincy, Roger served in the RAF for 34 years.

Roger said: “After 34 years in the RAF and a 13-year career in industry, I trained as a Lay Minister before joining the Hospital Chaplaincy as a volunteer.

"My many rewarding experiences and some divine intervention led me to become one of the chaplains working for Hinchingbrooke Hospital.

"Being there for the patients, their friends and family and for the amazing staff who give so much of themselves to achieve great patient care, is the ultimate privilege - not without its personal costs.”