THE family of a woman who contracted Covid and died in March as a result of developing pneumonia are hoping to raise £1,300 for ward 23 at Barnsley Hospital.
Kathleen Jenkinson contracted Covid at the beginning of March, before then having difficulty breathing and needing to be admitted to the hospital.
Sarah Allam, one of her daughters, said her mum soon developed pneumonia and her condition ‘rapidly deteriorated’ before staff made the decision to put her on end-of-life care.
She said: “Our mum was on ward 23 throughout her time in the hospital and all the staff showed nothing but kindness and care not only to our mum, but to myself, my dad, and siblings.
“We practically lived at the hospital for the last week of mum’s life and the hospital staff supported us with bedding, snacks, endless cups of tea and by giving us the space and privacy to be together as a family at such a sad and traumatic time.”
While Kathleen was in the hospital, staff brought a reclining chair into the room for them to use a chair that was a ‘lifeline’ for their 82-year-old dad, allowing them to be together at all times.
“Having that chair meant that dad could stay by her side and sleep next to her,” she added.
“The ward only had one of these chairs and we know that the hospital desperately need more chairs like this so other families can be together in comfort during difficult times.”
The family have now set up a Just Giving page for donations and a member of Yorkshire Military Band has offered to do a charity concert to raise funds – this will take place at the church on Sheffield Road on Saturday from 2.30pm.
Refreshments will be available at the interval.
To donate, follow the link:
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/kathleenjenkinson?utm_term=a8BG729Z#M