Family donates games consoles to Nottingham hospital in son's memory

Thomas Swan, from Collingham, was diagnosed with cancer in 2018

The family of a Nottinghamshire man who died of a brain tumour have donated five PlayStations to a hospital unit in his memory.

Thomas Swan, from Collingham, was diagnosed in 2018 before his death in November 2020, aged 24.

His family donated five consoles to the Teenage Cancer Trust Hogarth Unit at Nottingham City Hospital, where he received treatment.

They hope they will help patients there interact with friends and family.

Mr Swan's family said they "didn't think lightning could strike twice" after his younger brother William was diagnosed with liver cancer as a baby and had a transplant before he was one.

But Mr Swan became ill when he was 21 and began having mild seizures.

The family donated five PlayStation 5 consoles to the hospital ward

His mother Angela Swan-Dennis said: "As soon as [Thomas] found out about the tumour, the first thing he said was 'what about the kids mum?'. He was the first of five and so close to his other siblings.

"He had hope till the very end. That was really important to him, and to us."

The Sheffield Hallam University graduate had an operation but surgeons were unable to remove all of the 5cm tumour.

Despite radiotherapy, his condition deteriorated and Mr Swan died in November 2020.

Mr Swan died two months after marrying his childhood sweetheart, Emma

Mrs Swan-Dennis said: "It's been three years but it just feels like yesterday.

"When Thomas passed away, the Children's Bereavement Centre called us. We found out that before he died, he had contacted them about counselling for the children - he'd already put it in place for his brother and sisters.

"He just wanted everyone else to be okay."

Mr Swan and his childhood sweetheart, Emma, brought forward their wedding to September 2020 and he died just two months later.

The family raised money to try to give something back to the unit where Mr Swan received care - and to give something that he loved himself.

Mrs Swan-Dennis said: "We thought PlayStations would allow patients to communicate with others, play with their mates, without having to leave their room if they are not feeling up to it.

"If Thomas had had one, he would have been able to maybe play with William at home."

Staff at the unit thanked the family for their "kind and thoughtful gift".