Dianne Fawcett (centre) and daughter Rebecca Holmes (left of Dianne) present the cheque to Natasha Armstrong, RN (far left); clinical manager Mike Paglia and Kristen Casselman, managing director, WDMH Foundation (far right). Courtesy Photo

Jane Adams
Special to the Record

WINCHESTER – The family and friends of Brian Fawcett are honouring his strength and courage through a thoughtful donation that will support patients at the Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH). They have provided funds to purchase a specialized patient mattress for the Medical/Surgical Unit.

Brian’s wife Dianne shares the meaning behind this special gift: “Since Brian had Parkinson’s disease, we were going to have donations go to Parkinson’s Canada, but chose WDMH instead because of the amazing care given to Brian. We wanted to give back and decided on a special mattress to help prevent bedsores. It will help many patients, 365 days a year.”

“I told Brian what we were doing, and I know he would have been pleased,” adds Dianne. “Brian went through a lot, and he never complained or felt sorry for himself. Thank you to family and friends for your donations in Brian’s memory, David Lapier for collecting them, Kristen for working with us, and the nurses and doctors who took care of Brian (and me).”

“Our heartfelt thanks to Dianne and her family for thinking of the current and future patients during their time of loss,” notes Kristen Casselman, managing director, WDMH Foundation. “We are very touched that we were chosen as a charity of choice as a way to honour Brian’s legacy of strength and courage, and as one way for his family, friends, and community to remember him.”

The specialized mattress costs $6,203.70.