A STEETON company and an Oxenhope hospice joined forces to help a terminally ill woman from Sutton spend her last weeks at home with her family.

Acorn Stairlifts liaised with Manorlands to donate and install a stairlift in the home of Sandra Beresford. Mrs Beresford, 66, was diagnosed with lung cancer early this year.

Her son, Dan Beresford, said: “Mum’s health has deteriorated quickly, the cancer is extremely aggressive and months of chemotherapy have left her weak and in pain.

"She’s received fantastic care and support from the Manorlands throughout the year and during a recent physiotherapy session, we discussed the possibilities of mum returning home for her final weeks.

"Within 10 minutes of the physiotherapist suggesting a stairlift, she had spoken to Acorn Stairlifts who agreed to donate and install a stairlift at mum’s house that same day.”

Three hours later, Mr Beresford arrived back at his mum’s house to find the stairlift already in place.

“I just couldn’t believe the generosity of Acorn Stairlifts or the speed of their response," he added. "Time really is of the essence to us at the moment and as we’re taking it one day at a time, a long-term investment in a stairlift wasn’t something we felt we could consider.

"But thanks to Acorn and Manorlands, the gift of a stairlift has made all the difference to mum and to our family. She now has the mobility which means she can be cared for at home, something we thought simply would not be possible again."

While coping with ongoing treatment, Mrs Beresford has been cared for at Manorlands and previously planned to remain there as she found tackling the stairs at her semi-detached house too painful.

“I’m so grateful I’ve been able to come home – and all because of Acorn’s stairlift," she said. "I didn’t think I’d have the opportunity to go home to be comfortable and surrounded by my family again. Everyone has been magnificent at Manorlands but it’s truly wonderful to be back home."

The installation for Mrs Beresford is the ninth stairlift that Acorn has donated to patients through Manorlands over the past three years.

Dave Belmont, company secretary at the firm, said: “We’re incredibly committed to Manorlands and the work they do in the local area.

"When they called us about Sandra’s situation we wanted to do all we could to help her feel comfortable and safe in the home, and with the family that she loves so much.”