EQUIPMENT that will give patients on a ward at Minehead Hospital more independence has been donated by the Exmoor Royal Ark Mariners (697).

The ten reach extenders will help the Exmoor Ward patients with mobility problems, especially during National Occupational Therapy week.

The need for them came to the attention of Exmoor Royal Ark Mariner (RAM) Lodge Scribe John Lendon, who doubles up as a volunteer at Minehead Community Hospital.

The simple and relatively inexpensive devices are useful to anyone who is unable to bend down to pick things off the floor.

Procurement via normal NHS channels could have taken some time so John set off to the local shop, ’Independent Living’ with a donation from Exmoor Royal Ark Mariners.

The same day, ten NRS Combi-Reachers were purchased and presented to the hospital.