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A devoted fundraiser who helped support a valuable patient service at Good Hope Hospital has been remembered in a moving tribute following his recent passing.

Des Rafferty, who died aged 92, spent his final weeks receiving care at the same hospital where his fundraising made all the difference many decades earlier.

Throughout his life, Des was passionate about organising charity events for causes close to his heart.

His daughter, Gemma, said: “Dad was always involved in the community. Many times, when I was walking to school, I’d see him whizz past me in his car taking someone to Good Hope for their hospital appointment or going to pick them up.”

One of his proudest achievements was raising money to support the hospital’s rehabilitation pool in 1992.

Des was an outpatient at Good Hope Hospital and attended the hydrotherapy pool because of arthritis in his shoulders.

After learning the pool needed additional support, he took action by organising a charity event that raised vital funds to help enhance the service for patients who relied upon it.

He organised a dance with a live band at St Mary and John’s Social Club in Gravelly Hill, Erdington, where he was the club steward for many years.

Gemma said: “He held a raffle to raise funds, along with the price of the ticket to attend the dance and would have been up on stage himself with a microphone in hand, encouraging everyone to dig deep into their pockets.

“He was very engaging on stage and had a real knack for getting people involved and supporting a good cause.”

In February 1992, he presented a cheque to hospital staff, making a significant contribution towards the refurbishment of the hydrotherapy pool and providing essential equipment to enhance the delivery of the service.

More than three decades later, Des returned to Good Hope Hospital, this time as an inpatient.

He spent the last month of his life in the hospital’s care, where his family say he was treated with compassion, dignity and respect.

Gemma also spoke of the family’s deep gratitude for the kindness shown during this time, paying tribute to Natalie from the Vulnerability Team, who offered dedicated support to both Des and his loved ones.

She said: “The care Dad received was exceptional. He was treated with dignity, kindness and respect throughout, and we will always be grateful that he was able to spend his final weeks in the hands of such caring and professional staff.”

She added that there is something especially meaningful about the connection between his past and present at Good Hope Hospital.

“More than 30 years ago, Dad helped raise funds to support patients and then, decades later, he himself was cared for so compassionately at the same hospital. It truly feels like a full-circle moment.”