A WOMAN is raising funds for a relatives’ room at a Musgrove Hospital ward after receiving the “devastating news” of her mum’s death in “a very sad-looking” area.

Mandy Brightman launched the fundraiser for the Dunkery Ward to “prevent other relatives from having a totally unsuitable environment when receiving sad news”.

Mandy said that when her mum, Sue Sutton, who lived in Bishops Lydeard, was admitted to hospital with a bleed on her brain on Christmas Eve last year there was nowhere suitable for the hard-working staff to speak to relatives.

She was “taken into a very sad-looking room, which had obviously been out of action for some time, to be told my mum was dying”.

Mandy also added that during her mum’s first stay at the hospital, she was taken into the kitchen to be asked about resuscitation decisions.

So far, £3,000 have been donated.

She said: “My mum was admitted to Dunkery Ward at Musgrove Park Hospital on December 24, 2023 following a bleed on her brain.

“We were given the devastating news that mum was not expected to survive in the early hours of Christmas morning.

“The care mum received was outstanding and everyone was so kind.

“This was the second time mum had been admitted to Dunkery and it became apparent to me that on both occasions there was nowhere suitable for staff to speak to relatives.

“During her first stay, we were taken into the kitchen to be asked about resuscitation decisions.

“On this occasion we were taken into a very sad-looking room, which had obviously been out of action for some time, to be told my mum was dying.

“I decided then and there to create a legacy for my mum as she did so much charity work for others.

“In her memory, I decided to fundraise for a relatives’ room on Dunkery Ward.

“I wanted the opportunity to prevent other relatives from having a totally unsuitable environment when receiving sad news from the staff who work so hard.

“I knew funding in the hospital is tight and other projects would take a higher priority, but I wanted to fundraise for this facility.

“Fast forward three months and I am working alongside Love Musgrove, a room has been identified on the ward and the process has started to convert the room into a peaceful space where relatives can be together with the family in their darkest hours, and an amazing £3,000 has already been donated.

“Mum loved music so many of the upcoming events have a musical theme.

“The next concert is being held at Oake Village Hall on June 15 at 2.30pm and features the John Walker Band tickets are £7.50 and available via music4musgrove@outlook.com

“There will be refreshments and raffle prizes including books signed by the authors.”