When a Moruya Hospital Oncology patient was married a week before he passed away, his newlywed wife sat next to him all night in a chair - the bed was not big enough for the two of them.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The couple married in a rotunda at the hospital, after 30 years together, Cancer Centre Nurse Unit manager Tracy Blake says.
"We couldn't get a bigger bed in the room so she had to sit in a chair on their wedding night in hospital," Ms Blake said.
When Tomakin's Rally for Recovery offered funding to the ward, they asked for bigger beds.
Rally for Recovery sells furniture, fridges, tools - anything saleable - and donates all funds to the Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation research unit at Randwick.
This year, however, they wanted to support the people who support them.
The charity donated $18,000 towards the beds to make it easier for patients and loved ones to stay together.
The money also funded a new monitoring machine.
Ms Blake said although the beds weren't wide enough to be perfectly comfortable, they were "just big enough" and could fit through the ward.
"Instead of being pushed through, they (the beds) go up on their side," Ms Blake said.
"We can get in and out and they can go high and low."
She said children and grandchildren could even spend time with a patient for a couple of hours.
"It doesn't have to be your wedding night every night, but sometimes you want to be there for the night," she said.
Rally for Recovery president Ken Sloan said the charity had raised double the amount they had last financial year.
"The funds we are now raising are far superior than they're ever been before," Mr Sloan said.
"Rally for Recvoery have decided to support this hospital, a local hospital.
"We make all the money out of the local people. People can see they're getting something in return."
The charity planned to set up ongoing donations with the amount specified would depended on the needs of the hospital.
Rally for Recovery is open every Wednesday and Saturday, 9am to 12 noon.
"We accept all items of household goods that are in good saleable condition, sometimes even the kitchen sink," Mr Sloan said.
"If you have something to donate, give us a call and we will see if we can help you out and organise a pick up."
The charity is looking for more volunteers.
For enquiries, contact Ken Sloan 0406 363 166 or go to their Facebook page.
READ MORE
