Raising cash for hospital helps us cope with tragedy
THE family of a nurse killed when an object fell from the roof of a van have spoken of the “overwhelming support” they have received from family, friends, staff and her former patients.
Mum-of-two Sue Owen, 50, was driving her BMW car on the B4547 at Nant-y-garth between Y Felinheli and Pentir when the accident happened on September 23 last year.
Soon after her funeral, which was attended by hundreds of mourners, her husband Rem and sons Carwyn and Steffan revealed plans to set up a fund in her memory.
The Sue Owen Fund will be specifically for the Hergest Unit at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, where Sue had worked for 29 years.
Handing over the first cheque for £7,349.31, Rem said: “It was a shock to lose Sue so tragically and as a family we’ve had our ups and downs since then. But handing over this cheque, the first we hope of many, at least means something positive is coming from it.”
He said Sue, who lived in Pentre Berw, near Gaerwen, had worked at Hergest from the day it opened.
“She was here from day one coming over here from the old Seiriol ward, which was in the hospital, and she was held in high regard,” he said.
Steffan added: “That is reflected in what some of her patients have told us. It has meant a lot to us.
“We have been overwhelmed at finding out how popular she was with staff and patients alike.”
Rem said the amount had been donated at the funeral and from money handed to them since then and they hoped to double it by the end of the year.
He added: “We don’t know how the money will be spent yet. We have plans and ideas, but nothing is set in stone.
“Perhaps a bursary to help new nurses. We don’t know, but we want it to be something permanent.”
Jon Morris, the psychiatric liaison services manager at Hergest, said he worked with Sue for 17 years.
“She used to be my boss and was my mentor. She was a role model who was a caring person, always wanting to help others,” he said.
A North Wales Police spokeswoman said the circumstances of the incident are still being investigated. ● The Sue Owen Fund is administered through the Awyr Las North Wales NHS charity and is still open for donations.
For more information on how to support the fund, call the fundraising support on 01248 384395 or email awyrlas@wales.nhs.uk