Kind-hearted market trader's hospice help

A kind-hearted business owner from Darwen heard we were running low on syringe-driver bags, and set to getting the community to make and donate them.

Caroline Fotios from Mum's the Word, a low-cost school uniform provider asked customers and friends on Facebook to make the bags following a template and with fabric kindlly donated by Clarke and Clarke Fabrics.

She was overwhelmed with the support, with some bags being posted from as far away as Devon, and many of her customers and friends brought their stiched creations to her stall on Darwen market.

Caroline said: "I didn't know what the bags were for at first, but because I heard of this need I wanted to be able to help. I was amazed at the response I had from people who just wanted to help."

In total, Caroline collected 71 bags, which have replenished the hospice stocks.

A syringe driver is a piece of equipment that infuses medication including pain relief to a patient over 24 hours via a needle in their arm. If dropped, the syringe driver plastic casing costs about £100 and if the machine itself is damaged they costs thousands of pounds to replace. The needle can also become dislodged if the unit is dropped. but having the discreet bag to put the unit into is much safer for the patient and allows easier mobility for the person as they don't have to physically carry it, it just fits neatly into the bags.

A huge thank you to Caroline and all who helped to produce these bags. They are already being put to good use!