A CHARITY donated headscarves to Royal Bournemouth Hospital to be used by cancer patients.

Lynda Ford-Horne, chairperson of Faith Links interfaith organisation, and Rosemary Mead, group member, donated two bags of scarves, which will be given to the hospital's female cancer patients who have experienced hair loss due to treatments such as chemo and radiotherapy.

It is hoped the headscarves will support patient dignity at a difficult time, while helping to boost the wearer's self-esteem.

The scarves were donated to the hospital's voluntary services team along with reams of material, which will also be made into scarves, or pouches to hold medication.

Jacqueline Taylor, voluntary services officer at Royal Bournemouth Hospital, said: “We’re so grateful for the amazing donation from Faith Links and would like to thank Lynda and Rosemary for taking the time to visit us.

"Being able to provide assistance to our patients in this way is fantastic and really supports holistic care. We are hoping to work more closely with Faith Links in the future."

The two bags full of supplies had been collected as part of the annual Mitzvah Day, which is dedicated to performing small acts of kindness.

It is a day that calls for the donation of resource rather than money and many in the Jewish community dedicate their time to charity, or perform small deeds that make a difference in their local areas.

Ms Ford-Horne said: “Faith Links brings people of different religions together to discuss issues that affect all our lives, and to find ways of working together for positive outcomes.

"We were delighted to be able to donate the scarves, as cancer affects people of all religions and those without faith, and what is really important is pulling together to help each other.

"I was looking for inspiration for the next Mitzvah Day and saw an appeal for headscarves while I was a patient in Poole Hospital. We decided to answer the appeal and extend it to include RBH, as we know many cancer patients are treated at Bournemouth.”

She added: “This has been the most amazing opportunity, because as well as achieving our aim of donating to cancer patients, we have also done a lot of networking and I am confident that Faith Links and RBCH can do a lot of good going forwards.”