The family of a man who died at LOROS have created and donated gift parcels for each of the patients on the ward to open on Christmas Day.
Ruth Iley, 55 and her two daughters, Rebecca, 27 and 24-year-old Hannah, have spent the last few weeks preparing 31 presents, as a special treat for patients who will be at the Hospice this Christmas.
Their kindness comes after Ruth’s husband and Rebecca and Hannah’s dad, Steve Iley, died at LOROS in April this year.
“When dad was in over Easter, the Easter Bunny visited us and gave us presents and it gave dad such a boost, so we wanted to do something similar at Christmas,” said Rebecca, of Quorn.
“It’s difficult enough for everyone when a member of the family is at the Hospice, let alone over Christmas time, so this is the least we can do.
“Hopefully the parcels will put a smile on the patients’ faces.”
The gift parcels include a knitted stocking, made by Ruth and her children, as well as a Christmas cracker, a tree decoration and chocolate.
“We have bought or made most of the bits ourselves,” added Rebecca.
“We were trying to think what dad found useful when he was ill and we thought of hand cream, so we approached Nivea and they have donated a tube of hand cream for each patient too.”
Steve, who was 57, died at the Hospice after battling a brain tumour for more than 20 years. “LOROS is an amazing place, they are very close to our heart as they also cared for our grandma and granddad too,” said Rebecca.
“Having experienced the Hospice ourselves, we know just how big difference the parcels will make on Christmas day.”
The trio delivered the parcels today (Friday), ready for staff on the ward to give them to the patients on Christmas day.
“We can imagine that when somebody in the family is very poorly, a priority isn’t buying presents, so hopefully, this will be a nice treat for them,” added Rebecca.
