INMATES at Dartmoor Prison's Resettlement Unit have raised £216 in memory of Bob, a fellow prisoner.

Bob suffered an advanced and terminal illness and was being supported at the prison by St Luke's Hospice specialist nurses within the community team, and received outpatient visits from St Luke's palliative care consultant, Dr Mary Nugent.

The community service supports patients in their home place and covers an area extending well into Dartmoor.

When it was realised that Bob's condition was too advanced to be supported within the prison environment, arrangements were made for his transfer and admission to St Luke's Inpatient Unit.

Bob was escorted by prison officer Jerry Watson, who provided bed watch.

Mr Watson said: 'I was so impressed by the care shown and the wonderful work at the Hospice I came back to the unit and suggested the prisoners do something to support them. The lads organised sponsored circuits in the gym and raised £216.'

Ivan Judd, prison officer and communications spokesman at Dartmoor Prison said: 'The resettlement unit is a positive and encouraging unit to provide support to prisoners who are due for release.

'Raising this money has emphasised the positive need to work as a team. Many prisoners knew Bob and were keen to support the Hospice.'

Alison Veli, modern matron at St Luke's, said: 'St Luke's provides specialist palliative care to people who need it.

'We aim to support and care for them in a non-judgmental way, at a time when they need it most.'

Ms Veli said St Luke's Hospice needed to raise £3.5 million every year to continue providing palliative care to patients with advanced and terminal illnesses.

Care is free to patients and their families and continues after a patient's death in supporting families.

'This is only possible because of the generosity of the community we serve in supporting us,' said Ms Veli.

A cheque donation was also presented to Lynne Young, area adviser to the spinabifida charity, Asbah.