A Slough based nurse has received a birthday present she will never forget - from a homeless man she met professionally who became a friend.

Claire Williams, 33, who lives in Burnham, first got to know Stephen Boyd - known to some as Gruffy - while she was part of the nursing team at Herschel Medical Centre in Slough. He needed regular treatment over a nine year period and often talked to Claire about his life.

She said: "Stephen was sleeping in a graveyard near to the surgery with a friend of his for over 20 years. He’d often share stories of how he’d been beaten up and frequently had the little that he had stolen from him. I used to take clothing, food parcels and presents in for his birthday, Christmas and other occasions so he knew he wasn’t forgotten.

"During my time at the surgery, Stephen and I shared many conversations which came with many mood swings, lots of strong language but most often we shared many laughs usually because he knew exactly how to wind me up! I was privileged to get an insight into his life and the things he’s sadly experienced."

Claire is a regular helper at the SHOC homeless shelter where Stephen goes regularly. She visited him regularly when he was seriously ill with a life threatening condition in hospital, to ensure someone would be there when he woke up.

On her last day before leaving the surgery to move to a new job a friend took a picture of Claire and Stephen, which was emailed to her.

For her 33rd birthday Claire arranged to meet Stephen who is now in shared accommodation, bringing food and a birthday cake - while of course maintaining careful social distancing.

She said: "As I was leaving, Stephen handed me a birthday present, which he’d used the money he’d begged for, to get. Knowing this, it was safe to say I was very emotional when I opened it because it was a personalised mug that had the photo we’d had taken together on my last day at my previous job along with a happy birthday message."