A FAMILY have donated two iPads to the hospice that cared for their dad so that others can stay in touch with their loved ones under lockdown.

Kate Wilson and her two daughters, Stephanie and Emma, from Stevenston, gave Ayrshire Hospice two tablet devices in memory of their beloved dad, Greig, who received care at the hospice between October 2018 and January 2019.

Daughter Emma, who lives in Irvine, said: “In this time, right now, it must be so hard.

“The hospice supported my dad and us as a family throughout the hardest time and due to the current pandemic the thought of people not being able to stay in contact with their families breaks my heart.”

Greig had suffered from cancer on and off since 2009.

In 2018, he deteriorated to the point where the care available in a hospice was the best thing to make him comfortable.

Emma said: “They were absolutely fantastic.

“They would give us support, they were just lovely.

“I was pregnant at time time, and they would offer you a tea, coffee, a bite to eat. They’ve seen you were there all day.”

Emma said her dad’s hospital treatment was excellent but that the homely setting of the hospice meant he was being treated on a more personal level.

Since Greig’s funeral, where the family raised over £1,000 through donation boxes, Kate has been supporting Ayrshire Hospice.

She hopes the tablets can be used to help families stay in contact with visiting is restricted due to the pandemic, so hospice staff can help those in their care see their families using FaceTime or Skype.

A spokesperson for Ayrshire Hospice said: “Sincere thanks to Kate Wilson and her two daughters.

“Kate and the girls were thinking of our patients who may not be able to see all of their family members due to the current social distancing restrictions and thought that the iPads would be a good way for loved ones to keep in touch.

“What a kind-hearted idea that will be a great comfort to our patients and families.”

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