CELEBRATIONS Three sisters make donation to hospital in dad’s memory

THREE sisters are celebrating raising thousands of pounds to refurbish a hospital ward while still coming to terms with the loss of their mother and father.

Mandy, Tracey and Kim Lamprey, from Ely, visited the Respiratory Ward at University Hospital Llandough yesterday to see the result of their £2,169 fundraising.

The money went towards two new televisions as well as a leather suite to provide patients and their families somewhere to spend time during their visit.

The sisters’ father, Brian Lamprey, passed away on the ward on October 20, 2016, after being diagnosed with cancer weeks earlier.

“During the three and a half weeks Dad was in hospital, he received exceptional care from the nurses and doctors,” Tracey, 52, said.

“The staff there were so kind and considerate, not just with Dad but also with us. After his death we wanted, as a family, to give back something to the hospital that cared for him.”

To pay tribute to their father and the support he received at Llandough, the family decided to hold a fundraiser on March 3, the day of Brian’s birthday.

Sadly, the sisters’ mother also became ill and died seven days before the event on February 26.

Tracey added: “Even being so poorly, Mum was really looking forward to Dad’s memorial evening, and we felt that despite our sadness, we had to go ahead. The evening is really a bit of a blur, but everyone came together, shared stories, gave generously and made it a real success. We held raffles and an auction, and were really pleased to present West 6 nursing staff with a cheque for £2,169, to buy a leather suite for the day room and televisions for the side wards.”

Hannah Hicks, ward sister at West 6, said: “We’re so grateful to the Lamprey family for helping make this ward more comfortable for our patients and their visitors. It’s lovely to know, through his family, that Brian felt content and well-cared during his admission here, even at such a difficult time. On behalf of all the nursing staff, many thanks.”

Councillor for Caerau Peter Bradbury said: “The bravery of Brian’s family to pull together and raise money for the superb staff at Llandough is an inspiration to us all. Our community is proud to have been involved in this effort and will continue to support Tracey, Mandy and Kim in their further fundraising.”