New Acland Coal has a long and proud history of supporting the local community and recently gifted The Belinda McGowan Foundation $24,100 so it could purchase a cuddle bed for the Oakey Hospital.

The donation was made via the New Acland Coal Community Investment Fund, which supports sustainable community initiatives in the local area surrounding New Acland Mine.

Director of Nursing at Oakey Hospital, Matthew Boyd said the cuddle bed allows patients to feel close to their loved ones.

“The cuddle bed provides comfort and dignity to local residents receiving palliative and end-of-life care,” Mr Boyd said.

“New Acland Coal’s decision to support The Belinda McGowan Foundation so it could purchase a cuddle bed for Oakey Hospital is an investment in the entire community.

“Thank you, New Acland Coal for acting so quickly and funding the purchase of the cuddle bed, which has already had an enormous impact on the care we have been able to provide to patients and their families.”

New Acland Coal would also like to thank The Belinda McGowan Foundation for advocating for better healthcare throughout regional and rural Australia, specifically its decision to provide double-sized cuddle beds to non-metro hospitals, which has transformed the end-of-life experience for countless patients and their loved ones.