Ann Purves, who is now in remission from lymphoma, has made a donation to Bright Northumbria Healthcare Charity following five months of chemotherapy at Hexham General Hospital. Together with her husband, Geoffrey, she hopes the gift will help transform the surroundings in which cancer patients receive treatment, with a particular focus on creating greener, more peaceful spaces.
Mrs Purves was diagnosed in May 2024 and began chemotherapy under the care of the hospital's oncology team shortly afterwards. Her experience of treatment, and the compassion shown by the staff throughout, inspired the couple to give something back. Having spent months attending the hospital for chemotherapy, they want other patients to benefit from surroundings that offer comfort and a sense of calm during an otherwise difficult period.
The trust provides cancer treatment through oncology day units across its sites. At Hexham General Hospital, an upgraded unit opened in October 2024, offering five treatment spaces with a total of 16 chairs. For Mrs Purves, the quality of care she received and the kindness of those looking after her left a lasting impression. She has spoken warmly of the team, describing the staff as "absolutely super".
Mr Purves, an architect, brings a professional appreciation of the relationship between buildings, their surroundings and the people who use them. The couple believe that the environment in which patients receive care can make a meaningful difference to their experience, particularly when they are anxious, exhausted or facing a prolonged course of treatment. Access to natural light, greenery and open spaces can offer a welcome respite, helping patients feel more at ease. Their intention is for the donation to support improvements that will benefit those continuing to attend the hospital for cancer treatment.
The couple's contribution comes as the charity advances a wider commitment to bringing nature into healthcare settings. Bright Northumbria Healthcare Charity has joined forces with The Alnwick Garden through the Bright Garden Appeal, a fundraising initiative designed to create green spaces across hospital sites. The appeal aims to provide peaceful sanctuaries that support wellbeing, ease stress and offer patients and their families somewhere to pause amid the demands of treatment. Funds raised through the appeal are shared equally between the two charities, with each receiving half of the total. The trust also has established gardens at several of its sites, including the Snowdrop garden at Hexham.
Work at North Tyneside General Hospital's Oncology Day Unit offers an example of how charitable funding can improve the patient experience. Improvements have included enhanced waiting and treatment areas, alongside a garden room, bringing a greater sense of comfort into the clinical environment. Bright Northumbria Healthcare Charity uses donations to fund enhancements beyond the provision of core NHS services, supporting better facilities for patients and families as well as initiatives for the staff who care for them.
Karen Streener, Grants, Delivery and Impact Manager at Bright Northumbria Healthcare Charity, welcomed the Purves family's generosity, thanking the couple for their contribution. She highlighted the importance of creating environments that support wellbeing alongside clinical care, with investment in gardens, patient spaces and staff facilities helping to make hospitals more welcoming places.
The charity hopes the donation will contribute to lasting improvements across its healthcare settings, from better staff facilities to therapeutic spaces that bring the benefits of the outdoors closer to patients. For Ann and Geoffrey Purves, the gesture is a way of recognising the care that helped them through a challenging chapter and extending that sense of support to those who will follow.
