WWL launch initiative to comfort veterans in final hours

Inspired by patient feedback, it will see blankets given to veterans under the care of the trust.

These blankets, which bear the Armed Forces flag, aim to provide comfort and symbolise respect and gratitude for the veterans' service.

The initiative was officially launched at an event at Wigan's Armed Forces HQ towards the end of 2024, with the relatives of the veteran who inspired the movement in attendance.

Joanne Lee, WWL's Armed Forces Navigator, played a key role in supporting Alan Lancaster, a veteran who found solace in holding a poppy during his end-of-life journey at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary.

Ms Lee said: "Before he died, Alan told us that he felt very proud that we recognised his Armed Forces service and he took the poppy with him everywhere he went in the hospital - to every scan, test or ward move, he always had it with him.

"Alan chose to go home for his last weeks to spend time with his family and the poppy went with him.

"He very sadly died shortly after going home with our WWL Armed Forces Team and his family around him holding his precious poppy."

The blankets will be provided for every veteran in the trust's hospitals and for those being cared for in the community.

They will remain with the veteran and can be laid to rest with them or given to their family as a keepsake.

The initiative has been supported by WWL's End of Life Team and the Armed Forces HQ in Wigan.

Initially, 30 blankets were purchased with money raised from raffles and donations, but more are hoped to be bought in the future.

WWL's chief nursing officer, Kev Parker-Evans, said: "Our veteran community is incredibly important to us at WWL, and we hope these blankets bring some comfort to all our veterans and their families.

"We hope this will go some way in providing them recognition for their service and shows our pride as a trust to continuing to support our Armed Forces community in Wigan."

Donations to buy more blankets are welcomed.