Rosemere Cancer Centre’s in-patient Ribblesdale Ward has a new ice machine through an act of good karma that came about by chance.

The charity had already ordered an ice making and dispensing machine – worth £2,358 – after the ward’s old machine had broken down and couldn’t be repaired.

However, at the same time, Lancashire woman Valerie Bennett had seen a post online from a man whose friend was being treated on the ward and could have benefitted from some ice.

Valerie said: “The young man was distraught. He had gone out and bought a bucket of ice. He had set up a JustGiving page to fund a new machine but the donations weren’t coming in.

“I contacted him and said I would see what I could do. I decided that through my company, Home Information Searches Limited, I would fund the machine.

“I believe in karma – when someone is doing well it’s their duty to do good for others, which I believe sets up a circle of goodness.

“Two days after I donated the money, I received a letter giving me PPI payments back. Like I say, it’s karma!”

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The ice machine is more than just about enabling patients to have ice in their drinks.

Ribblesdale ward manager Danielle Jackson said: “Chemotherapy medicines can affect the cells in the taste buds, leaving some patients to complain of a metallic taste in their mouth. Others find that it alters how their food tastes. In either case, sucking on ice cubes can help to numb the taste buds to alleviate both issues.

“Radiotherapy, which is also used to treat some cancers, can cause a dry throat and mouth so again, sucking ice cubes and sipping chilled water can be helpful. In addition, if patients have a raised temperature, ice and a cool drink can be useful in bringing it down.

“We are therefore very grateful to Valerie for buying this machine for us.”

Because of Valerie’s generous donation, Rosemere Cancer Foundation can now fund another project using the money it had earmarked for the ice machine.

Read more: Rosemere funds personal treatment gowns after concerns over cleanliness

Rosemere Cancer Foundation works to bring world class cancer treatments and services to cancer patients from throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria. For further information on its work, including how to make a donation, visit the Rosemere website.

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