A Christmas appeal has been launched to raise £20,000 this festive season in aid of families of terminally ill patients in acute hospitals.

The Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity is hoping to use the funds to provide 20 supplementary day beds for the palliative and end of life care team at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

The day beds are adjustable reclining chairs designed to offer better comfort to family members who spend extended periods in the hospital with their dying loved ones.

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More than 2,300 people received support from the team last year.

The charity funded five day beds in 2022, which greatly benefitted families spending the last moments with their loved ones.

Despite this, the need is still great, and the charity hopes to provide one for every ward in need.

Miss Avril Adams, lead nurse specialist for palliative and end of life care team, said: "Helping patients and their loved ones to feel more comfortable in our hospitals is very important to the Palliative and End of Life Care team and Trust staff.

"Day beds make a real difference for our patients’ loved ones, allowing them a chance to get what rest they can much more comfortably.

"The five day beds we currently have are in constant use, so having 20 more means that more people can be offered this small comfort more frequently making a real difference for our patients and their family members."

Worcestershire residents willing to donate can text ‘DAYBED’ to 70460 to donate £5.

Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message.

Online donations can also be made via the charity’s website (https://bit.ly/JGDayBeds).

The charity has said it greatly appreciates all donations, understanding that these are tough times for everyone.