Local charity Dorothy House Hospice Care is appealing for help to raise funds to buy new “cuddle beds” to support families saying goodbye to their loved ones.
The specialist “cuddle bed” that Dorothy House is fundraising for | Image courtesy of Dorothy House
Dorothy House wants to buy two of the special beds, which provide enough space for patients and family members to have a cuddle.
For families saying goodbye in a hospice, having a cuddle is sadly often beyond reach. Hospice beds, with their single mattresses and safety rails, can create a barrier between partners, mums, dads and children, grandparents and grandchildren.
A “cuddle bed” breaks down those barriers, as at the touch of a button, it can widen into a double bed allowing a family to be together and enjoy the closeness that is often desperately needed when a loved one is at the end of their life.
Trudy, whose mum was diagnosed with cancer in the summer of 2019, is someone who would have benefitted from the specialist equipment.
The mother and daughter had just over a year together after her diagnosis, but towards the end of her life, Trudy’s mum started to deteriorate quite quickly.
Having a cuddle bed would have meant Trudy’s dad could have laid next to her mum as he had for over 50 years and as a family, they could have given her mum the loving, comforting hugs they all loved to share.
For Trudy’s Dad, who was sleeping on a chair next to her mum, it would have meant the world to lie beside her and hold her in his arms.
With your help, a cuddle bed now gives the possibility for other families to do what Trudy’s family couldn’t.
You can read Trudy’s story and make a donation today by visiting dorothyhouse.org.uk.
