Mrs Dorothy Brighton raised £4,200 to buy the equipment in memory of her husband, Andrew, who died suddenly following a stroke at the age of 52.

Mrs Brighton asked friends and family to join her in an eight-mile walk from Warter, near Pocklington, which had been one of her husband's favourite walks, to raise money for the stroke unit.

She sent out invitations to many of the people who had attended her husband's funeral, and between 70 and 80 people took part, raising far more money than she had originally hoped.

She had hoped to raise £1,500 to buy a bed for the ward, but so many people supported the fund-raising effort that she was able to buy the specialist chair as well.

"The money came from all over – the donations were unbelievable. The walk was a walk which Andrew and I loved to do and the food afterwards was all given free. It was a good day on such a sad occasion," said Mrs Brighton, who lives in Middleton on the Wolds.

She presented the bed and the chair to the hospital on the first anniversary of her husband's death, and a plaque on the bed is inscribed: 'A celebration of the life of Andrew Brighton'.

Mr Brighton worked as a driver at Drakes at Shiptonthorpe, and had previously worked as a mill manager at Fridaythorpe Feeds.

Mrs Brighton said she would like to thank everyone who had supported her fund-raising efforts, and the hospital staff who had treated her husband.

"Being able to give something back makes me feel very proud of what I have done for that ward. They were absolutely brilliant and their appreciation for what I have given spoke for itself," she said.