STROKE patients will have 50,000 reasons to be happy thanks to the legacy of a caring farmer.

They will benefit from the generosity of the late Robert Barker, who donated £50,000 towards the cost of buying specialist equipment for a new unit at York Hospital.

Mr Barker, who died aged 88, was not a stroke victim himself, but wanted his cash to go to the hospital and be used at the discretion of bosses there.

He worked all his life at the farm where he was born in Towthorpe, near Strensall. But he decided that, on his death, he wanted the hospital to benefit.

Carol Croser, specialist nurse in stroke medicine at York Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "On behalf of all staff, I would like to say how thrilled we are that Mr Barker thought so favourably of the hospital to make such a terrific donation.

"It is an exciting time for stroke services at the trust, as we prepare for the opening of a new unit in May which will see us providing rapid, specialist care for those people who have suffered a full blown stroke. There is evidence that such active, timely care results in better chances of a full recovery."

The executors of Mr Barker's estate - John Minford of John Minford Associates, Chartered Accountants, and Peter Kay, of Ware and Kay Solicitors - met staff from the service in a handover ceremony at the hospital.

Mr Barker's legacy will be spent on:

A complex patient monitoring system to provide continuous observations for the first critical 48 to 72 hours of admission. Any problems such as high blood sugar, blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, low oxygen levels and hydration can be promptly identified.

An advanced overhead-tracking hoist. This will make it possible to transfer poorly patients in and out of bed with maximum safety and comfort

A state-of-the-art bath which can be used safely by stroke patients with disabilities

A new electrocardiogram machine and 24 hour blood pressure monitors

Two special armchairs with in built pressure relieving cushions for maximum comfort.

Mr Minford, principal at John Minford Associates, said: "Robert was an extremely kind man. It will be a fitting tribute to his memory to watch the stroke services at York Hospital blossom. On behalf of Robert and my co-executor and colleagues at both our firms in York, I would like to wish stroke services at the hospital all the very best in the future."

Updated: 10:34 Wednesday, April 13, 2005