Stephen Hawking’s ventilator is donated to Cambridge hospital to help treat coronavirus patients

Stephen Hawking’s ventilator has been donated to the Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge to help treat patients with coronavirus, the physicist’s daughter said on Wednesday, according to Mirror.

Hawking, who suffered from motor neurone disease, died in 2018, aged 76.

“Our father received brilliant, dedicated and compassionate medical care from both Royal Papworth and Addenbrooke’s Hospitals in Cambridge.” Lucy Hawking said.

“As a ventilated patient, Royal Papworth was incredibly important to my father and helped him through some very difficult times.

“We realised that it would be at the forefront of the Covid-19 epidemic and got in touch with some of our old friends there to ask if we could help.”

“After our father passed away, we returned all the medical equipment he used that belonged to the NHS but there were some items which he bought for himself. We are now passing them to the NHS in the hope they will help in the fight against Covid-19.”

“As a family, the NHS has always played a huge part in our lives. We are fully aware of the dedication and commitment of NHS staff to helping people in need. At this time, we would ask that everyone supports NHS staff in every way possible.”

“We would urge people to take social distancing seriously. We all need to do our bit, whatever that may be.”