COOKTOWN Hospital patients are able to rest a bit more easily thanks to donations from the Endeavour Lions Club and Cooktown Friends of the Foundation.
The Cooktown Multi-Purpose Health Service became the beneficiary of three pressure-relieving mattresses -two donated by the Lions and the other by the FOF, each valued at $12,000.
Endeavour Lions Club president Jim Fay and FOF vice-president Daphne Fenton agreed the donations were the result of a very generous Cooktown and surrounds community.
“Cooktown people are very willing to put their hands in their pockets and donate to worthy causes,” Ms Fenton said. “From the Friends of the Foundation’s viewpoint, we’ve been able to provide a number of pieces of equipment over the years, which has been of benefit to patients and in making the work of the staff easier,” she said.
She described the mattresses as of “gold standard” in that range of hospital equipment.
“They’re very good for patients with mobility problems,” she said. “With these mattresses, staff can change the points of pressure, which makes being bedridden a more comfortable experience.
“It gives everyone involved with Lions and FOF enormous satisfaction knowing the time we volunteer can bring this sort of comfort,” Mr Fay said.
“And anyone who has in some way donated, should be proud their contributions having seen the purchase of these mattresses,” he said.
Cooktown Hospital director of nursing Vikki Jackson met with Mr Fay and Ms Fenton to officially accept the mattresses on behalf of the hospital.
“The hospital is very fortunate to receive gifts of this magnitude and we’re very grateful for them,” Ms Jackson said.
Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation chief executive officer Tony Franz said it was important to support health services in more remote areas.
Photo: Getting a feel for one of three pressure relieving mattresses donated conjointly by the Friends of the Foundation and Endeavour Lions to the Cooktown Hospital are: (from left) Friends of the Foundation vice-president Daphne Fenton, Endeavour Lions president Jim Fay and Cooktown Hospital's Director of Nursing Vikki Jackson. Photo: GARY HUTCHISON/COOKTOWN LOCAL NEWS
