£400,000 raised for Shropshire hospital

The League of Friends at Shropshire's orthopaedic hospital raised more than £400,000 last year – despite losing one of its major fundraising operations.

A huge building programme at Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Gobowen, near Oswestry, meant the League of Friends was forced to close its cafe for much of last year.

But volunteers and staff still managed to raise £410,138 during 2011 which helped pay for a new MRI scanner.

Tricia Norris, chairman of the League of Friends, said it had been a sometimes difficult but highly successful year which also marked the organisation's 50th anniversary. The group has raised more than £4 million for the hospital since its inception.

League branch members raised £58,251 during 2011, up £17,410 on the previous year. A new League coffee shop and retail shop have recently opened in the new main entrance. They will be staffed by volunteers from the old coffee shop.