The York & Scarborough Hospitals Charity is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year by highlighting two community-driven successes that are directly benefiting patients at local hospitals. The charity, which marks three decades of supporting patients, families, and staff, has seen the installation of a new specialist cuddle bed at Scarborough Hospital and a successful fundraising campaign for the neonatal unit at York Hospital.
The new cuddle bed, which cost approximately £15,000, was installed in May 2026 as part of the Autumn Project, an initiative dedicated to improving end-of-life care. The bed allows patients to lie in comfort with their loved ones, a feature that was not available in standard hospital equipment. Funding for the bed came from extensive community efforts, including more than £7,000 raised by Denise Byas in memory of her husband, Richard, and over £15,000 contributed by Annie Sheppard since 2020 through various events and art sales.
Hospital staff also played a significant role in securing the new equipment. Palliative care nurses Cassie Halpin and Julie McHugh raised over £2,000 by completing a skydive, while student nurses raised more than £1,600 through a 25-mile sponsored walk from Settrington Beacon to Filey. The bed is designed to be portable and is already being used multiple times between the Critical Care Unit and the hospital’s dedicated end-of-life care spaces.
In York, the Haxby Flying Ducks Youth Theatre, which is also marking its 30th anniversary, contributed to the Tiny Lives Appeal. The youth group raised £672 for the neonatal unit at York Hospital through their February 2026 performances of The Addams Family. The broader appeal for the neonatal unit has already surpassed its £100,000 target, raising over £102,714 to support a major, multi-million-pound refurbishment of the facility expected to open later this year.
The charity is now encouraging further public support to help fund additional cuddle beds for use across the local hospital trust. Residents interested in supporting these efforts can contact the charity team at 01904 724521.
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