A healthcare company in Melksham has donated three wheelchairs to the Royal United Hospital in Bath after finding they needed more.

Gompels Healthcare, at Swift Way, Bowerhill, was asked to provide just one wheelchair but kindly donated three.

Jacqueline Pritchard, of Norton, said: “In September this year my eldest son Stuart was crippled with severe plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

“He is being treated at the Dermatology Department at the RUH.Apart from getting to the department on the second floor he had to get to other departments for tests.The psoriasis has affected his joints and his feet causing so much pain while attempting to walk.

“The staff were very good and would try to help as much as they could. However, with overworked porters and lack of wheelchairs this was all very difficult.

“I was so upset watching my son trying to walk so far in pain and, after discussing the situation with the department, I offered to donate a wheelchair.

“My youngest son James Pritchard is a manager at Gompels Healthcare Ltd. I asked him if they sold wheelchairs and, if so, would it be possible to buy one. He confirmed they did and he would.”

Mr Pritchard asked his boss, Sam Gompels, if he could buy a wheelchair. Mr Gompels responded by donating not just one but three.

Mrs Pritchard, 66, added: “I really think, especially at this time of year, this is an exceptionally generous thing to do. I cannot thank Mr Gompels enough.”

“It is heart breaking watching how these skin diseases can debilitate and Mr Gompels has just helped to make things just a little easier.”

Sasha A’court, of Gompels, said: “As a local family business we love to support local causes. We regularly double the fundraising efforts of our staff and support many other great causes across the country and even further afield.

“James raised the issue of a lack of wheelchairs in the RUH dermatology department and we were more than happy to donate them. We hope these will help many patients over the next few years.”

The family presented the three wheelchairs to the RUH last week during a routine appointment for Mr Smith.

It is understood that one has been offered to another department to cover a shortage of wheelchairs there.