STAFF at a cancer unit in Christchurch have thanked a Ringwood woman for helping their patients cope through intense specialist treatment by providing them with booze.

Judith Cox started stocking up the ‘jolly trolley’ when her late husband John was undergoing treatment for cancer of the oesophagus six years ago.

Sadly 51-year-old John passed away within two-and-a-half-years of being diagnosed.

“Whenever we used to go to the unit it used to make him laugh and it’s quite difficult to do that when you’re that ill,” Judith, 45, said. “What [the unit] use the most of is alcohol; it enables the patients to have a bit of normality.

“It just makes them smile.”

Now Judith has hung up her volunteering hat after working at the Macmillan Caring Locally unit at Christchurch Hospital for the last six years.

“I’ve done these years in Ringwood and I’m asking someone else to do it,” she said. “I think I’ve emptied their drinks cabinets! You can only ask people for so much. I’ll still be a collection point but it needs to hit another area really. I’ve drunk Ringwood dry!

“Everyone at the unit is really friendly,” she added. “I do it in January when people have it left over from Christmas and they’re not drinking in January.

“The patients might as well drink it.”

Neal Williams, the trust secretary, paid tribute to Judith’s hard work over the years which he said has helped to give a little bit of happiness to their patients during what is a very difficult time for them.

“Judith is a dedicated and passionate supporter of the Macmillan Unit who has raised thousands of pounds for our charity through fundraising events and challenges,” he said. “Her idea to ask people in our community to donate bottles to the Macmillan Unit Jolly Trolley and to coordinate it all every year, was inspired and is typical of her thoughtful and generous nature.

“On behalf of our patients and their families I would like to thank Judith for her outstanding contributions.”