RandS.jpgA nursing husband and wife at Barnet Hospital will be delivering a festive musical extravaganza for their patients on Christmas Day – with help from their sons and a host of children from their parish church.

Junior charge nurses Sam and Raquel Arit (pictured) will sing carols for patients on Larch and Juniper wards – handing out song sheets so their patients can join in.  

Their son Carl, 21, will play the violin, while Clyde, 19, will be on the piano and cello. Around 13 other young people from their church will also join the band, playing a range of instruments.

Raquel said: “We come at 2pm and are aiming to play on Larch and Juniper wards. Our first concert was in 2019 when the children were still in school, we had to postpone it during the pandemic but restarted last year.

“This year because we are doing it on the 25th and actually that works really well because all the youngsters are home for the holidays from college and then we all come together in the evening for a big celebration back in Watford, so no-one feels like they are missing out.”

Sam added: “Patients and their families are invited to sing with us and staff love it as well. No-one gets to practice together beforehand, but they can all read music and they’ve all grown up playing these festive tunes. We might even have someone playing the harp – you can’t get more angelic than that!”

The couple, who met at university in the Philippines, joined the NHS 24 years ago. Raquel has always worked at Barnet Hospital and after a short spell in Derby, Sam moved to Barnet as well.

Although they claim not to be particularly musical themselves Sam does occasionally play the ukelele for patients.

Raquel said: “Christmas is an especially difficult time for people to spend in hospital. In previous years patients have told us how much it means to them to be able to sing and celebrate together. I’m hoping this year will be bigger and better than ever!”