Woman Raises Money for Hospital Bed

In a poignant display of love and compassion, Denise Byas from Kilham, East Yorkshire, has successfully raised thousands of pounds for a 'cuddle bed' at Scarborough Hospital. This initiative was born from a heart-wrenching personal experience when her terminally ill husband, Richard, was unable to fulfill his final wish of lying beside her due to the limitations of standard hospital beds.

Mrs. Byas's fundraising efforts, which amassed £7,000, were combined with the hospital's existing campaign, reaching the £15,000 target needed for the specialized bed. These 'cuddle beds' are designed to allow loved ones to lie alongside patients, offering comfort and intimacy during end-of-life care.

"I still cry about it now," Mrs. Byas shared, reflecting on her inability to grant her husband's last request. "To be able to give that comfort in end of life is an amazing thing for both parties, the one that is passing away and the one that's losing."

The hospital is continuing its fundraising efforts to acquire privacy screens adorned with autumn leaves, symbolizing the end-of-life journey. This forms part of the Trust's Autumn Room Project, aimed at creating compassionate spaces for patients nearing the end of life.

Emma Sargent, fundraising manager at York & Scarborough Hospitals Charity, expressed deep gratitude for Mrs. Byas's contribution, describing it as "a beautiful tribute to the memory of her much-loved husband" and an integral part of their mission to provide dignified and comforting end-of-life care.