New appeal to help dying

Rotherham General Hospital’s Purple Butterfly Appeal will raise money for a dedicated suite for patients to spend their last few days in peace and comfort with their families.

Rebecca Allinson, the hospital’s associate director of corporate relations, said at the appeal launch: “It’s not easy talking about or thinking about death but we all know what would bring us and our loved ones comfort and we all have an idea of how we would like to spend the end of our life.

“Here at the Rotherham Hospital Charity we are working hard to raise funds to help ensure the privacy and dignity of patients as the end of their lives draw near. 

“We are determined that care is not compromised at the time when people need it most.”

Ms Allinson called on the public to back the appeal by supporting a series of fund-raising events, including a Purple Butterfly Ball on July 3, an It’s a Knockout-style contest on July 18 and a Purple Prom on September 24.

With the generous help of the community we can fund ways to support patients, their families and their friends to ensure we provide the most appropriate care to meet their needs,” Ms Allinson added.

“With your help, we can make sure that we provide the best environment for people in this situation and enable them to die with dignity and respect and with the care and support of their loved ones.”

People have the right to choose where they die and many people would prefer to die

at home or in a hospice but 60 per cent of people who die in Rotherham each year are likely to die in hospital. 

A hospital spokeswoman said: “No-one likes to think about death but those that are dying have to, and so do the people who love and care for them.”

The money raised by the appeal will pay for a dedicated room known as the Iris Suite—a home from home where patients can be cared for with the support of relatives and friends during the last few days of their lives. 

With en-suite facilities, the room would provide space for friends and relatives to stay with their loved ones and care for them, knowing that clinical care was on hand if and when needed.

The appeal will also raise funds for comfort packs for relatives who arrive to see their loved ones with little or no notice.

The packs will include basic essentials such as a comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, wet wipes and deodorant, while appeal funds could also go towards providing refreshments and sleepwear for relatives arriving unprepared for an overnight stay.

Monday night’s appeal launch coincided with thanks being extended to supporters of the hospital’s Gamma Scanner Appeal, which has raised £116,000.