Jane's family's says thank you to hospice with appeal boost

The Jane Tomlinson Appeal has donated 37,500 to the St Gemma's Hospice Refurbishment Appeal, which was launched today, to improve patients' bedrooms.

Mrs Tomlinson, from Leeds, who was diagnosed with incurable cancer in 2000, raised 1.85m for charity before her death in September 2007 and her family is continuing her efforts. Her widower Mike said: "We were so impressed with the care Jane received during her stay at the hospice. The team looked after us so well. But we were aware of some of the shortcomings in the bedrooms and are proud to be able to support this refurbishment."

The St Gemma's Hospice Refurbishment Appeal aims to raise the 339,000 needed for improvements to the patients' rooms on the in-patient unit including installing hoists, revising colour schemes and improving flooring.

St Gemma's chief executive Bill Kilgallon said: "We are immensely grateful to Mike Tomlinson and all at Jane's Appeal for this generous donation, which will certainly benefit our patients.

"The 20 in-patient rooms catering for 32 patients need complete refurbishment due to an increase in the level of dependency of our patients, advances in equipment, technology and significant developments in infection control. The improvements will increase patient safety, enhance dignity, privacy and provide our patients with more control over their environment."

A 396,000 contribution from the Department of Health has been secured towards the total 735,000 cost of the planned refurbishment.