And now, long-serving employee Helen Peel and her husband Barry – who have worked at Wheatfields for 22 years between them – are leading an appeal to replace old beds with 18 new ones.

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The hospice, run by Sue Ryder Care, needs to raise £22,500 for the state-of-the-art beds, designed to accommodate mobility restrictions and offer greater independence and comfort.

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Helen, 51, said: "The beds are really important because they will help to increase patient care. Technology is changing all the time and we really want to provide the best for our patients."

Barry, 63, added: "Helen's mother spent most of her life caring for cancer patients and, eventually, was treated for cancer herself. Wheatfields did an absolutely fantastic job, we couldn't fault them.
"Wheatfields will always be a big part of our lives. We work together side-by-side."

Helen started volunteering at the hospice after her mum Margaret Sewell – who worked as a cancer nurse at Cookridge Hospital for more than 30 years – spent six months at Wheatfields before her death in 1997.

She persuaded her husband Barry to come on board to supervise the launch of the hospice lottery – and the 63-year-old now works as the charity's sales manager, while Helen is the volunteer co-ordinator.

Hospice manager Samantha Cheverton said: "Electric profiling beds offer many advantages over a traditional bed.The beds are adjustable, providing the patient with greater independence and control.

For more information on the Wheatfields Beds Appeal, either by making a donation or organising an event, call Rosemary Sheen on (0113) 2787249 or e-mail: rosemary.sheen@suerydercare.org