THE Mark Master Masons of Monmouthshire have donated £17,000 to the county’s Nevill Hall Hospital to fund equipment for its Critical Care Unit.

The Masons’ contribution will be used to purchase a specialist portable ventilator, which can be used by children when they need to be transferred inside or outside the hospital. The ventilator is adaptable and can also be used to help adult patients.

The donation came after Bernard Williams, of the Monmouthshire Mark Masons was cared for in the Critical Care Unit at Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny.

Mr Williams was suffering with a perforated bowel and Sepsis in March 2016.

Bernard, from Usk, said: “After leaving the hospital I felt I would like to put something back to the unit which looked after me.

“When I asked Sister Rebekah White what was needed, she said they needed a portable paediatric ventilator, or life support machine, at a cost of £17,000.

“I began fundraising and I approached the Monmouthshire Mark Masons to ask if they could assist. The Provincial Grand Master Derek Thomas looked at the circumstances and agreed that we would pay for this ventilator for the children.”

Provincial Grand Master Derek Thomas added: “We’re very pleased to be able to contribute to such a worthy cause in paying for something the hospital really needs to help children and other patients.”

Sally Heal, a Senior Nurse with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said: “We are very grateful for this kind donation. The new piece of equipment we’ve been able to purchase for the Critical Care Unit at the hospital will help us to give our patients the very best standard of care.”