A widow, angered by the Welsh Assembly’s funding allocation for the Paul Sartori Foundation, is donating a £20,000 van to the charity.

Valerie Harries, aged 77, of Pembroke Dock, has vowed to fight for the foundation, which helped her nurse her late husband at home.

The former hospital matron believes her mother, who died in January, would be delighted to see the money she left in her will go to such a good cause.

Mrs Harries said: “One van costs more than the Welsh Assembly grant of £16,500. I intended to pay for the van with only my family knowing about it, but I was so furious when I read the report in last week’s Western Telegraph that I had to speak out.”

Mrs Harries’ husband, Tom, was diagnosed with cancer in May. The cancer had spread to his liver and the illness was terminal. He died in July.

“He wanted to come home from hospital and the Paul Sartori Foundation lent us a hospital bed and the equipment he needed, and assembled it for us at home,” she said.

“After a few days he became so ill that I couldn’t cope with the 24-hour care on my own.

“I called the foundation’s office and it provided a nurse every night from 10pm to 7am so that I could get some sleep.

“Being a state registered nurse, I know the standard of care and compassion we both received was second to none.”

Speaking about the charity’s personal care, Mrs Harries told the Western Telegraph that when her husband died, staff sent cards of condolence, attended the funeral and later wrote to her offering support.

Mrs Harries said: “It meant everything to have Tom at home. I can’t thank Paul Sartori enough. Before he died he said to me: ‘This help is costing a lot’. He couldn’t believe he was getting everything he needed at home for free.”

The new van, ‘Tom’s Truck’, is currently being lined and fitted for use and will have a lift to help with unloading. Mrs Harries is hoping it will be ready by October 28th — Tom’s birthday.

Hospice at Home co-ordinator Joan James said: “This is a godsend to us. We are very lucky that the people of Pembrokeshire have shown such kind support.”

Mrs Harries added: “God help us all if the Paul Sartori Foundation in Pembrokeshire has to close.

“I don’t drive, how could I have seen Tom if he’d had one of the few hospice beds in St Davids?

“We all know someone who has had cancer. A few more hospice beds are not the answer.

“If there is a demonstration at the Welsh Assembly I will be the first on the bus and I hope many more will join me.”