The family of Smokie founding member Terry Uttley have made a donation of more than £2,500 to Airedale Hospital following collections in memory of the musician and his wife.
Both Terry Uttley and wife Shirley - who lived together in Ilkley - passed away late last year within just four weeks of each other.
Shirley was cared for in Airedale's Intensive Care Unit and Terry was looked after on both the Acute Assessment Unit and Ward 10 under the care of the palliative care team.
Donations in their memory were given at both funerals, and Terry's local pub - the Red Lion in Burley in Wharfedale - also held a fundraising music night.
In total, £2,530 has been presented to the Airedale Hospital and Community Charity, the official NHS charity for Airedale NHS Foundation Trust.
The funds will go towards the charity’s Intensive Care for Airedale appeal and to the charity’s Palliative Care Team fund.
Terry and Shirley were originally from Bradford and lived in Ilkley for the last 40 years. Shirley was a hairdresser and business owner, and Terry was a founder member of the group Smokie.
The couple's daughter Holly said: “Our mum and dad were the most beautiful and kind souls that anyone could wish to meet, and their sudden passings have left a huge hole in our family. When mum was critical in the ICU, the team worked tirelessly to try save her life whilst taking her final wishes and our family’s feelings into account at the same time.
“My dad was in awe of the way they cared for mum and showed empathy to us. It was important to him to give back to the department with the donations and in any way he could. Sadly only a few short weeks later, we would be in the same unexpected situation with him and the Palliative Care team within the Acute Assessment Unit who were just as incredible, making those final days as comfortable as possible.”
Their other daughter Lisa added: “The level of care we witnessed from those departments at the worst time of our lives was simply incredible and such a comfort. We want to pass a special thank you to Martin and Nellie and their teams who showed the utmost respect and compassion to all of us.”
Jodie Hearnshaw, manager at Airedale Hospital and Community Charity, said: “We’re extremely grateful to Holly, Lisa and their family and friends for their kind donations in memory of Shirley and Terry Uttley. We know how important donations in memory are and we’re honoured to have the family’s support.
“The funds that were donated to our Intensive Care Unit will be spent on furniture for the new unit’s relatives’ room to make it as comfortable as possible for our patients’ loved ones.
“Our Palliative Care team will invest the funds in end-of-life care for patients and their families.”