Donate to the Cuddle Bed Appeal today
When we’re unwell, having our loved ones close by brings comfort when we need it most. Those moments of closeness become even more important when someone is facing a life-limiting illness.
We are fortunate to have two cuddle beds on our In-Patient Unit (IPU), enabling family members and friends to create treasured memories with their loved ones, while keeping our patients as comfortable as possible. We know our cuddle beds mean the world to our patients. However, as we care for up to 12 patients at a time on our IPU, many people miss the opportunity for those special moments of comfort a cuddle bed can bring.
This year, we’d like to double the number of cuddle beds on our ward. Can you help us raise £20,000* by 6 April for two new cuddle beds, and make room for the moments that matter?
*Each cuddle bed costs £14,995. Alison and her friends have already raised £10,000 and we need to raise a further £20,000 to buy two new cuddle beds. All additional funds raised will be directed to where need is greatest within the hospice.
What is a cuddle bed?
A cuddle bed is a specialist hospice bed that can safely extend to allow loved ones to lie together. It means partners can cuddle, parents can rest beside their child, and families can stay close – just as they would at home.
At the end of life, time with your loved one is priceless. Donate today to ensure more families have cuddles to treasure, forever.
“It brought back a sense of home”
After 25 years together, Angie and Robin had always shared life side by side. But during Robin’s illness, moments of closeness became harder to come by. Thanks to the cuddle bed, Angie was able to lie next to Robin again – holding hands, sharing quiet conversations, and even enjoying a cup of tea together in the mornings.
“It’s made such a massive difference,” says Angie. “You get back a bit of that physical closeness and a bit of normality.”
“It made all the difference”
After long periods apart in hospital – often only able to reach for each other across bed rails – Alison was finally able to lie beside Rob, hold his hand through the night, and share quiet moments of normality.
“A cuddle bed is the most wonderful thing,” says Alison. “It’s so important for families and patients to be together and still have that connection – the same connection they would have had at home.”
FAQs
You can donate by gifting a cuddle via our MuchLoved page, or via our donation form by selecting ‘Cuddle Bed Appeal’ from the dropdown menu. You can also donate by post, or over the phone by calling our Supporter Care team: T: 01935 709485, E: [email protected]
Each cuddle bed costs £14,995. Our wonderful supporters, including Alison, have already raised £10,000 towards a new cuddle bed through their fundraising activities; we need to raise a further £20,000 to buy two new beds for our IPU.
We estimate that with two additional cuddle beds on our IPU, 36 more patients, and their loved ones, will benefit each year.
Once we reach our target, all additional funds raised will be directed to where need is greatest within the hospice to continue providing free, compassionate care for our community.