Family cycle 111 miles in memory of Mary Fortune

A local family has completed an epic charity cycle ride in memory of Mary Fortune and raised £2,016 for Parry ward at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust.

Mary Fortune was a patient on Parry Ward where she sadly passed away earlier this year. Mary's family were so grateful for the care that not only she received, but also the love and compassion given to the family that they decided to cycle to the place Mary loved most, Devon, where her husband John was born.

Mary's son-in-law Paul Bernard, grandsons Robert, Ryan and Ashley Bernard and family friends Jason Side and Matt Allway raised £2,016 for the ward by cycling 111 miles Bristol to Babbacombe.

The ward has used the funds to buy toiletries, underwear, nightwear and clothes that will help to send patients home more appropriately dressed when they've had an unexpected stay in hospital. Several digital radios have been bought so that patients who are bed bound can keep in touch with news and events.

The amazing fundraising effort by Mary's family allowed Parry ward to purchase a recliner chair as well, which will provide comfort for relatives, who stay with their loved ones for long hours or overnight on the ward.

Alison Bello, Senior Sister said: "It was a privilege to care for Mary and her family, and we are pleased they felt they had the right care and support at such a difficult time. The staff discussed what they felt would be helpful to purchase for the ward patients and especially for those who have no family or visitors or are very vulnerable."

Alison said: "Mary's family has given us a wonderful and generous gift that will make a huge difference to the care we can provide for our patients and we can ensure they are comfortable and feel more appropriately dressed during their stay and on discharge or transfer from here. On behalf of myself and the team we're really grateful and appreciates the effort and participation by many people to enable the ward to benefit from the family's generosity."

Mary's daughter Jan and grandson Ashley delivered the toiletries, radios and clothing on behalf of the family on 15 August. They also gave the hospital an XBOX and a selection of children's toys and books, which will be shared with our A&E department and the Children's ward.

ENDS

Notes to Editor

• The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust provides acute treatment and care for a catchment population of around 500,000 people in Bath, and the surrounding towns and villages in North East Somerset and Western Wiltshire. The hospital provides healthcare to the population served by four Clinical Commissioning Groups: Bath & North East Somerset CCG, Wiltshire CCG, Somerset CCG and South Gloucestershire CCG.
• The Trust has 759 beds and a comprehensive range of acute services including medicine and surgery, services for women and children, accident and emergency services, and diagnostic and clinical support services.
• In 2015 The Royal United Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was acquired the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD) NHS Foundation Trust. The RNHRD treats patients from across the country offering services in rheumatology, chronic pain, chronic fatigue syndrome/ME, cancer related fatigue and fatigue linked to other long term conditions such as multiple sclerosis.
• The RUH is changing - we have an exciting programme of redevelopment underway transforming our site and further improving the services we provide. The Trust is now working towards building a purpose built RNHRD and Therapies Centre and a new Dyson Cancer Centre. For more details visit: www.ruh.nhs.uk/fit4future
• For more information about the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust visit: www.ruh.nhs.uk

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