Andrew Donegan has left us after a 41-year NHS career in Huddersfield at an emotional farewell do ahead of a new "journey" to the Isle of Wight.

He said he felt "overwhelmed" at the turnout of colleagues past and present and after staging so many dos for other colleagues admitted it felt quite surreal to be attending his own farewell.

He is going to new a role in the Isle of Wight and he will be taking our Four Pillars with him.

Lorina Cragg delivered a farewell speech and handed over vouchers so he can buy a leather travel bag and Alison Wilson supplied one of her cheeky poems to mark the occasion. See attached photo of her and Andrew.

Andrew said the bag would be always with him and a constant reminder of his happy days at CHFT.

Lorina told a packed ISS meeting room at HRI Leaarning Centre: " You have provided us with a wealth of knowledge. We will miss you like mad and wish you all the best."

Andrew started as junior assistant cook at Storthes Hall in 1978 then supervisory and assistant management role. He became catering manager, district catering manager looking after Storthes Hall and has also worked at St Luke’s, Mill Hill, Holme Valley Memorial Hospital. Management of the hospital laundry, Portering services.

Here's more from him.

What's your favourite meal to cook. Lasagne, only trouble is I have to cook a shed load for all the family

Favourite meal? Generally a steak dinner. Also Shrove Tuesday is my favourite day. I love a pancake!

Anything you don’t like? No, I can eat all foods

Funny moments at work? Our meeting with the legendary Errol Brown from Procurement where, during the meeting, I tried to mention as many Hot Chocolate singles as possible without him knowing. As you can imagine “You sexy thing"  took a bit of work.  

What will you miss? I now understand just how many friends and colleagues I have and they all will be missed.

What’s the appeal of sun-soaked, beside-the-sea of the Isle of Wight? I am genuinely looking forward to the job that will allow me to use all my learning from Huddersfield, including the Four Pillars. And,  being a small Island, as a fisherman, I will be a lot closer to the sea.