Generous gift aims to ease hospital stay
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PATIENTS and visitors in Raigmore Hospital’s high dependency unit will have a more comfortable experience – thanks to generous donations from a Ross-shire family.
Barbara Bremner, her family and friends have donated four state-of-the-art reclining charis as part of a "lasting legacy" for her husband, John, who passed away in the unit two years ago.
She also wanted to do something to thank the unit’s staff for the fantastic care they provided for him when he was being treated there.
The chairs, along with other comforts like DAB radios and cosy fleece blankets, were purchased after Mrs Bremner organised a sponsored-walk up the Fyrish monument above Alness. Almost £3000 was raised when 31 family members and friends took part in the climb up the 453m hill last year.
She first had the idea of doing a fundraiser at Hogmanay 2016. She hoped to raise enough to provide one comfy reclining chair for the unit, but thanks support from family, friends and former workmates of John, who was a welder with Isleburn Engineering, she was able to donate much more than that.
Mrs Bremner said: "I’d like to say a really big thank you to everyone for their support. For some of us the walk was a huge challenge due to various health conditions, but remembering John’s quiet courage and bravery throughout his illness kept us going. I’m sure John would have been quietly proud of our achievement."
Mr Bremner passed away in April 2016 after an 18-month battle with Myasthenia Gravis, a little-known autoimmune condition.
At that time the unit was located on the sixth floor of Raigmore Hospital, and Barbara said the lack of space in the old unit had been a cause for concern. But in June the unit was moved to the ground floor as part of a £28 million critical service upgrade.
Barbara said: "The new ward makes it so much easier for the staff.
"It’s now fit for purpose."
