Parachute Regiment Association drops into action at Conquest

Members of Hastings branch of the Parachute Regiment Association arrived at Murray Ward at the Conquest Hospital laden with gifts on Monday.

Better still, branch publicity officer, Bexhillian Don Brennan, had been seeking support.

Lloyds Pharmacy of Old, Town Bexhill, also brought gifts as did Sainsbury's store. Tesco's at Ravenside sent still more..

..And all because when a Para was being cared for in Murray Ward he discovered that staff there had resorted to fund-raising in order to provide patients who had been admitted in an emergency with the toiletry basics needed for a hospital stay.

Monday's visitors brought so much with them that they had to commandeer a couple of wheelchairs to carry the shampoo, soap, flannels, disposable razors and the like.

Summing up the reaction of colleagues, Senior Sister Chris Collins told the visitors: "Thank you so much.

"We find it really touching that you have gone to all trouble to provide the basic things that patients need.

"We felt we had to do it. We are all very grateful. A lot of us are feeling very emotional at the moment..."

On behalf of the Parachute Regiment veterans, David Cooper, who also serves on the hospital's chaplaincy team, said: "Many of us have a great regard for this hospital '“ many of us have practically got squatters' rights to some of the wards!

"We do appreciate the work that you do.

"It came to our notice that staff are actually paying for toiletries for some of the patients who unfortunately come here at short notice."

Colleagues Dent Banks and Don Brennan had been concerned about the situation and had decided to do something about it.

They had enlisted the aid of Lloyds Pharmacy, Sainsbury's and Tesco's to help boost the help that the branch had been able to give.

Dave concluded: "Thank you the staff for all you do for us..."

Representing Lloyds at the presentation ceremony was health care assistant Linda Angel.

Representing Sainsbury's was manager Marco Sarro and his assistant Susan Upton.

In addition to Dave, Dent and Don, the Parachute Regiment Association branch was represented by Brian Hunter.