A FAMILY has made a generous donation to help support the ward their daughter 'absolutely loved' following her passing.

Lana Maddison, from Silloth, died in a car crash in 2021 when she was just 19 years old.

She had been training to be a mental health nurse at the University of Cumbria and had done a placement with Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) on Oakwood Ward at Carleton Clinic. 

This ward supports older adults who may be vulnerable or experiencing mental distress.

Lana’s mum, Lisa, said: “Lana absolutely loved the ward.

"That’s where her heart was; even when her placement was finished, she kept going back.”

The family raised £10,000 through donations from her funeral and charity events, including one held on what would have been her 21st birthday.

The funds have been split between the trust and Carlisle Eden Mind.

Lisa says Lana had known for a long time that she wanted to be a mental health nurse.

“People would open up to her,” she said. 

“Lana listened without judgement and would always help in any way she could.

"She was an active member of Wigton Young Farmers’ Club and talked about the mental health of young farmers and the pressure and isolation they can feel. She said to me, ‘mam, I need to do something for these people’.”

She said that Lana would have been 'thrilled' to know money had been raised in her name to help others. 

At the trust, the money will be used to support the SHINE fund, which enhances the experiences of service users by providing therapeutic activities and comfort items.

Lana MaddisonLana Maddison (Image: Cumbria Police)

On the Oakwood Ward, the donation will be used to purchase entertainment and gardening furniture and equipment.

Kerry Bone, acting ward manager on Oakwood and healthcare assistant Hayley Bimson, said: “We’d like to thank Lana’s family and friends for their incredible generosity and desire to make a positive impact to patients on Oakwood in Lana’s memory.

“Their generosity has made a huge impact on the patients’ journey to recovery and enhanced resources on the ward. The items purchased will promote wellbeing to all on Oakwood and we are so very grateful for this.”

Lana had also been an organ donor and her organs have been donated to four recipients.

“I know how much she would have appreciated helping others,” Lisa said. 

“I can picture her doing a little happy dance. I know for definite Lana wouldn’t have wanted to be forgotten, so it’s really comforting to know the money will go towards a good cause and that we can give something back in her memory.

"She would have been flabbergasted at the amount raised.

“The staff on Oakwood have been so supportive of us as a family. It shows that something good can come out of such a tragedy," she said.