PATIENTS at East Ayrshire Community Hospital in Cumnock are benefitting from the fundraising efforts of nursing assistant Margaret Cree.

The Marchburn Ward at the hospital has received new equipment and garden furniture after Margaret’s pamper hampers raised £300.

The contents of the six raffled hampers were donated by patients’ relatives and ward staff and the funds have been used to purchase new garden furniture for the ward’s Forget-me-not garden.

Using funding from the staff lottery, the ward has also purchased a new reminiscence therapy computer software system, which will be of great benefit to patients and their families.

Lainy McLeod, Senior Charge Nurse for Marchburn Ward, explains: “The system provides a range of social and recreational activities for patients and helps to reduce boredom, anxiety, symptoms of stress and isolation by promoting group activities.

“Relatives can also get involved by helping with their loved ones’ collage, life story page and activities. Families can also make videos which can be saved onto the system for patients to enjoy. So far we have had a really positive response from patients and their families.”