Family buys special hospital beds

Funding for two special beds for Tallaght Hospital has been raised by the family of the late Billy Dowling, as a gesture of thanks to the hospital for the care they took of him while he was there.

The beds, which cost 4,000 euros each, have now been delivered to the hospital, and the Dowlings hope to repeat the exercise next year.

The money was raised by getting sponsorship for family members running in the Womens Mini Marathon; Billy's son Charlie dressed up in female clothing to take part.

"When Billy was there he had the benefit of this kind of bed when there were only two of them in the hospital," says his wife Sheila. "The least we could do was try and help them get some more."

She emphasises that it is the people of Kilcullen and surroundings who gave sponsorship for participation in the Marathon who have really provided the beds.

Brian Byrne.