A hospice charity is asking for donations to fund crucial pain-relief equipment.

Rennie Grove Hospice Care uses battery-operated syringe pumps for terminally-ill patients and needs help to purchase an ongoing supply of batteries.

Rennie Grove director of nursing, Sue Varvel, explained: “A syringe pump injects pain-relief and other medications in measured and constant doses.

“During the last weeks of a patient’s life they may become very sick and no longer able to swallow tablets – this is when a syringe pump is needed.

“Our nurses will then monitor the effect of the medication with the aim of giving a patient the best quality of life, so that they can spend precious family time at home for as long as possible.

“A syringe pump can mean the difference between keeping a patient at home with their family during their final days and an unnecessary admission into hospital.”

The charity had to update all its syringe pumps last year, following guidelines set out by the National Patient Safety Authority (NPSA).

The NPSA states that the batteries must be replaced when they reach 40 per cent capacity, which in most cases means that new batteries are needed every two days.

Just £13 could power a syringe pump for two patients over a 10 day period, helping to keep them comfortable and pain-free during their final days. Donate online here, text PUMP15 £3 to 70070 or call 01442 890222.