Donation made as thanks for war veteran's care
A £1,000 donation made in memory of a military veteran is helping families stay close to their loved ones at Basildon Hospital.
The money from the family of Leslie Girdler, from Grays, has funded a new relatives’ bed, as a thanks for his care. The bed is a space-saving fold-away bed offering comfort and rest to families who need to stay overnight with their loved ones when it’s needed the most.
Leslie spent 16 days on Linford ward, an orthopaedic ward, where staff cared for him with compassion and warmth.
During the days when Leslie was most unwell his family stayed overnight, sleeping in chairs beside his bed. That experience inspired their wish to help others.
His youngest daughter, Tonie, said:
We hope that having a visitors’ bed will make difficult times that little bit easier for families of patients on Linford ward.
The staff made dad’s time in hospital that much easier, caring for him with humour, humility and kindness. We’d often walk in to find nurses and doctors listening to his familiar war stories. It meant so much that dad was truly seen.
The donation was from contributions given at Leslie’s funeral, with friends and family choosing to give money instead of flowers, honouring a man remembered for his humour, kindness and pride in his military service.
Sinthu Murugan-Rajoo, Trauma and Orthopaedic, Fractured Femur Specialist Nurse, said: “We are so thankful for this generous donation which will mean family members can stay with their relative overnight when a patient is particularly poorly. Leslie’s gift from his friends and family will bring comfort and reassurance to many when it’s needed most.”