A CHARITY set up in memory of a former Mayor of Douglas has helped provide the Isle of Man Hospice with new equipment.

Dot's Dream Foundation, which was set up in April in memory of Dot Pitts, has donated a new baby changing unit and activity box to the care facility.

The baby changing unit can be used by the many families attending the Hospice in-patient unit or the children's hospice Rebecca House.

Nicola Walkingshaw, Dot's daughter and a trustee of the charity, explained: "We spent many weeks at Hospice with Mum and as she had three very young grandsons it could sometimes be difficult spending time at Hospice without facilities for the children. 

"As a family we identified that this would make lives easier for anyone visiting the Hospice with young children and thought it would be a novel and welcome addition to the facility."

Using money raised through a number of fundraising initiatives, including a casino night and a TT cycle event as well as charitable donations, the charity was also able to provide a gift box to Rebecca House.

The activity box contained craft and baking materials, and vouchers to buy more additional items, for the children at Rebecca House.

Dot's son Frankie Pitts said: "The idea came about as we've attended open days at Rebecca House and have seen at first hand the fabulous facilities and the range of equipment available to the children and some of the activities they do.

"Our Mum loved to do things with the children in our family and we thought this would be a nice way to give something for the benefit of all the children."

For more information about Dot's Dream Foundation e-mail dotsdream@manx.net. 

Photo caption: L to R: Nicola Walkingshaw, Frankie Pitts, Omar Jallow, Kaidan Pitts, Brody Walkingshaw, Harvey Pitts and the latest addition to the family Lily Walkingshaw with Frances Bland (team leader for Rebecca House)

Both pictures by John Dale