PATIENTS at St Margaret’s Hospice will enjoy some extra comfort in future thanks to a generous donation in memory of a former mayor Wellington School student and Mayor of Taunton Deane.

Ken Hayward was cared for at the charity’s Taunton in-patient Unit before returning home to Norton Fitzwarren. While at the hospice during this summer’s hot weather, he came up with the idea of raising enough money to ensure every patient could have a remote-controlled fan to keep them cool.

After Ken died in July, aged 60, family and friends continued to support his project. Funds were raised by family, friends and former colleagues, who attended his funeral. Donations also came from staff at Taunton Deane Borough Council, Somerset Stairlifts & Mobility and Norton Fitzwarren village hall. Taunton Deane Mayor Cllr Catherine Herbert helped in negotiating with Dyson and with the £1,280 raised it was possible to purchase eight state-of-the-art fans.

Ken’s family visited the hospice in Bishop’s Hull to present the fans and receive a commemorative sunflower plaque, which is now on the Celebration Tree in the reception area.

They were joined by the Mayor and Nita and Donald Wyatt, of Norton Fitzwarren village hall, and Mark Grantham, of Somerset Stairlifts & Mobility.

Ken and his wife Mary became engaged three weeks after meeting and married in February 1979. They set up home in Wellington and had two sons, Bradley and William.