A FAMILY has donated £1,400 to Southend Hospital in memory of their mum.

Relatives and friends of Gwen Hickton donated the money for three special reclining chairs to the Elizabeth Loury ward for cancer patients in thanks for the treatment she received.

Husband Derek Hickton and sons Neville and Shaun, from Prittlewell, visited the unit to show their gratitude for the care Mrs Hickton received until her death from ovarian cancer in August last year.

Mr Hickton said: “We wanted to give something back to the ward to help other patients. All the staff were so helpful and they did so much for all of us. Nothing was too much trouble.”

Ward manager Liz Lawrence said: “A big thank you to Derek, Neville and Shaun Hickton and their family and friends for the generous donations.

“The chairs are particularly helpful for patients who have limited mobility or find it difficult to sit up, to relax and get comfortable out of bed.

“They are an invaluable addition to our ward.”