A MUM who made an “amazing recovery” after being taken seriously ill at Lister Hospital has handed over a donation of thousands of pounds to thank staff who cared for her.

Pamela Coates, from Redhoods Way East, Letchworth GC, returned to the Stevenage hospital’s Intensive Care Unit last Tuesday following a long stay on a ventilator two and a half years ago with a cheque for �3,071 - to be spent on the unit’s staffroom in a bid to try to make doctors’ and nurses’ breaks more comfortable.

Pamela’s daughter and son, Becky and James Coates, as well as friends Jessica Meese, Peter Lambley and Jon Lambley all ran the Stevenage Half Marathon last November to raise the funds and show their thanks to staff.

Daughter Becky said: “In August 2009, our mum, Pam, was taken into Lister Hospital with difficulty breathing and subsequently had a long stay on a ventilator in the Intensive Care and High Dependency Units. Mum made an amazing recovery and came home in November 2009.

“This was not just down to her overwhelming will power and determination, but with the treatment, care and support of the fantastic Lister Hospital staff that looked after her.

“All the staff in the ICU and HDU at Lister are truly amazing. We ran this race to ‘give something back’ to the brilliant staff who work in Lister Hospital’s Intensive Care and High Dependency Units.

“We’ve raised this money for the doctors and nurses staff room to make the breaks that they have as comfortable and relaxing as possible.”

Rebecca Cheesman, the Trust’s fundraiser, added: “The Intensive Care nurses were thrilled to see Pam again and see how brilliantly she is doing.

“This fantastic fundraising is not only for the benefit of doctors, nurses and patients in the Intensive Care team, but also recognises the brilliant medical staff here who every day strive to provide the very best in excellent care. We are extremely grateful to Becky, James, Jessica, Peter and Jon for their support.”