Saint Leonard's Hospice appeals for funds to equip all rooms with cuddle beds
Fundraising initiative aims to enhance comfort and connection for hospice patients
Last updated 18 hours ago
Saint Leonard's Hospice has launched a fundraising campaign to raise £75,000 to provide cuddle beds in all of its rooms, enhancing patient comfort and closeness with loved ones during end-of-life care.
The campaign has already raised £46,813 in just two weeks, aiming to fund two more cuddle beds to ensure all hospice bedrooms are equipped
Nikki Smith is a healthcare assistant at Saint Leonard's Hospice: "My partner Darren was a patient in Saint Leonard's Hospice, and we were the very first people to try out the cuddle beds," she reflected.
"We'd spent months where Darren was in a hospital bed... You can't join them in the bed. They're not big enough. These beds meant everything to us."
She elaborated on the comfort and joy they brought, saying, "For his grandkids to be able to get up and cuddle with their granddad, that's all they ever wanted to do with him."
"They bring back so much of your closeness that you lose because you do end up like a carer."
"It means the world to everybody. This appeal is just, well, it's a nice legacy for him as well."
Saint Leonard's Hospice encourages continued community support to bridge the funding gap and relieve decision-making pressures about who receives a cuddle bed.
Nikki offered a heartfelt thanks, stating, "Just to say a big thank you because it means so much to people like me and Darren and the rest of the family. We really appreciated everything that it brought for us."
Those interested in supporting the appeal can visit Saint Leonard’s Hospice website for more details and contact information.