The total amount in donations received in memory of John (in lieu of flowers) almost reached the amazing sum of £4,000.  Following much recent deliberation with the committee of the Patients’ Association, consultants and staff (and me!) of the Lane Fox Respiratory Unit at St. Thomas’ Hospital, the decision  how best to use this money has been finally resolved.  It is to be used to completely refurbish a sun-trap courtyard area (which is immediately adjacent to and directly accessible from the Respiratory Unit) into a garden – complete with a water feature.  It will be designed so that not only will it be accessible to patients in wheelchairs but, hopefully, to those in beds.  It is to be named “The John Prestwich Memorial Garden” and once completed, the intention is to have an ‘official’ opening which will possibly be featured on the BBC1 TV programme City Hospital.  Knowing just how much pleasure John derived from sitting on the patio in our garden, I feel it will be an apt and lasting memorial to him and one of which he would entirely approve.
Meanwhile – a big thank-you to all of you who contributed so generously to the fund.
Maggie Prestwich