Bert O’Hara’s stairlift
DONATION FROM WPH TRUST HELPS EASE EVERYDAY LIFE FOR PENSIONER BERT
Over the last few years life has become increasingly difficult for Ryton-on-Dunsmore pensioner Bert O’Hara.
The 73-year-old father-of-five lives with a number of health conditions and as time has progressed, has had to cut down on the things he loves doing the most, as even home life has become a struggle.
However a donation of almost £2,000 from the WPH Charitable Trust to purchase a stairlift for home is a very welcome boost for Bert who says it has helped make his everyday living a lot more comfortable.
Bert smoked for 50 years and it was only when he stopped that various ailments started to surface. Among other health issues Bert now suffers with severe long-standing COPD.
Nevertheless since having his stairlift installed, key aspects of his life have become much more bearable and he no longer requires his emergency oxygen supply every time he uses the stairs.
He said: “It got to the point where I needed to use the oxygen compressor to refill my lungs every time I went up or down the stairs. In fact I was becoming more and more reluctant to use the stairs altogether. I’d ache and have to rest, and I’d become far more tired than what should be normal.”
But he added: “I still keep oxygen compressors both upstairs and downstairs but the stairlift has made a marked difference in terms of my breathing. As well as making life easier physically it’s just given me that little bit more confidence in getting around the home.”
Bert issued a special thank you to WPH Charitable Trust. He said: “I had lived in this house for over 50 years before these problems developed.
“Without the Trust’s kind donation there is no way my wife Susan and I would ever have been able to have afforded the stairlift. It really has made all the difference and I am extremely grateful to the Trust.”
David Holt, Chairman of the WPH Charitable Trust, added: “My colleagues and I are delighted to have been able to help Bert and to help make life that little bit easier.
“Bert came to us through Warwickshire’s Heart North Team, which looks at aids and adaptations around the home to help keep people their independence.
“Although this is one way of approaching the Trust we also welcome direct online applications from people who feel they would benefit from medical funding.”
As well as individuals, WPH Charitable Trust provides funding for groups and organisations which work to prevent, relieve and cure sickness in Coventry and Warwickshire. The Trust provides grants for medical research, buildings, equipment and other forms of medical care for residents of the region. All applications are made via the Trust’s website, and are assessed on a quarterly basis.
For further details log on to our website
Alternatively, applications can be sent by post to: Secretary to the WPH Charitable Trust, c/o Blythe Liggins, Edmund House, Rugby Road, Leamington Spa, CV32 6EL.
