Stroke survivor’s outdoor gift
A Perthshire woman has been busy raising funds to help buy outdoor furniture for a vital hospital ward.
Debbie Matthew from Comrie was able to donate outdoor furniture to the stroke unit at Perth Royal Infirmary.
She wanted to raise money for the unit after receiving treatment and care for a stroke three years ago.
Debbie raised the money to buy the furniture by holding whisky pools, candle pools and a tombola.
She said:“I had a stroke three years ago. I’ve worked hard with my recovery and it keeps improving.
“When I was a patient in the stroke unit, they had a lovely garden but there is nothing nice to sit on and enjoy the peace and relaxation. I decided to fundraise so I could buy something nice for the garden as a thank you.
“Susan from Dobbies Garden Centre and members of the Crieff Rotary Club came along to the unit with me and helped build the furniture so it can be used by patients and their relatives straight away.”
Debbie handed the donation over to Karen McMurray, a senior occupational therapist at the PRI unit. Karen said:“We are so grateful to Debbie for all her fundraising efforts and arranging for the delivery and installation of the garden furniture.
“We would also like to thank the Crieff Rotary Club and Susan Welch from Dobbies who assisted in building and setting up the furniture.
“This is the first step in the development of the outdoor garden area for patients and relatives. They will benefit from being able to sit outdoors and enjoy the sensory benefits of being in a natural environment away from the ward.”