Vicki Fryer paints designs on the windows of the children’s wards at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary where she works
Kristy Dawson Multi-Media Journalist
16:00, 07 Dec 2025
The TikTok post about Vicki which has gone viral (Image: TikTok / Dionne O’Connor)
A nursery nurse has gone viral have giving up her own time to paint hospital windows for poorly children. Vicki Fryer works on the orthopaedic children’s ward at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle.
The 53-year-old, from Dudley, North Tyneside, was filmed painting Minnie Mouse onto the hospital windows during her break. The parent, who captured the footage, then posted it on TikTok.
The video, which has the caption “When the nurse on ward 10 uses her unpaid breaks to do this on wards for children not all hero’s wear capes”, has now been viewed more than 67,000 times.
It has attracted more than 500 comments with people describing Vicki as an “incredible lady”, “a true hero” and an “absolute star”. One person commented: “Protect this woman at all costs we need more like her”.
Another person said: “What a lovely thing to do for the kids, I’m sure they love it and it’s so good. It’s so kind of the nurse to go out of her way to do this, thank you kind lady.” A third person added: “This is what makes the NHS special.”
Vicki’s daughter Jodie, who works in customer service, saw the TikTok post and showed her mother. The 30-year-old, who is mam to Peyton, four, and Robbie, two, said: “She likes doing it to make everyone happy.
Vicki Fryer works on a children’s ward at the RVI in Newcastle (Image: Chronicle Live)
“It’s the norm to be because she’s done it for that long. I never really thought about how it affects other people – it’s just my mam painting the windows! She’s always doodled since I was a kid, she just loves it.
“The lady who posted the video messaged me saying she was so lovely while they were there and made her smile. Lots of people were saying ‘She an angel’ and ‘People like this deserve so much’.
“It’s just really nice to hear that kind of stuff about your mam.”
Vicki (centre) with her daughters Hayley (left) and Jodie (right)(Image: Chronicle Live)
Vicki, who has two children and four grandchildren, changes the designs on the hospital windows each season. She paints during her work hours and gives up her own time to ensure they they completed.
The nana-of-four also voluntarily paints the windows of the three venues in her hometown – The Dudley Hotel, Out of Sight charity shop and The Mane Man barber shop.
Vicki said she had given permission for the mother to film her that day but did not expect her to put a post on social media about her. She has been left stunned by the comments which have been left.
She said: “I just couldn’t believe it. One of the domestics in the hospital came up to me and said ‘It’s you from TikTok!’
“There’s been some lovely, lovely comments. People are just so kind.
Vicki paints the windows of the RVI and also businesses in Dudley(Image: Chronicle Live)
“I like doing it for the kids. The kids love it – it’s their little faces I do it for! They give me the biggest smile.
“I’m just so used to doing it that I take it for granted that I do it. I’m quite shocked that people like it so much.
“It’s my own choice to not have a break – I’d rather it was finished. I want to do other things with the kids.”
Vicki worked at the Freeman Hospital in High Heaton, Newcastle, for 10 years before moving to the RVI, where she has been based for 15 years. She has painted the windows for the children every year since she started.
She added: “I have worked for the trust for 25 years and I have done it for 25 years. I don’t just do it at Christmas, I do it all year round. I love it, it’s quite therapeutic.
“I love my job. I absolutely love everything I do for the kids.”
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