Friends raise £60,000 for Bridgnorth Hospital equipment
Fundraisers have collected almost £60,000 this year for new equipment at Bridgnorth Hospital, which will prevent patients being forced to travel elsewhere for treatment.
The League of Friends group has used the money to pay for equipment that would otherwise become defunct.
The largest single investment was for a state-of-art sterilising machine to disinfect equipment used to examine patients, lowering the risk of infection.
The AER machine cost £38,270 and replaces an NHS machine that is coming to the end of its life.
It was not going to be replaced, which would have forced patients to travel to either Telford or Shrewsbury.
This year, the league has seen a change of committee and a new chairman, Don Fulwood.
Mr Fulwood said: "Once again this year has been very successful, with well attended events, amount of money raised and a steady monthly increase of revenue from our coffee shop.
"Our success has only been achieved by the hard work, devotion and loyalty of your league's committee, supported by dedicated volunteers manning the coffee shop and providing a trolley service to the wards.
"Once again, grateful thanks to everyone involved and I am sure that the enthusiasm shown in supporting the re-organised committee augers well for the future."
The AER machine replaces the hospital's current machine which is around seven years old, and disinfects scopes used for diagnostic procedures. It will compliment a scopes sterilising cabinet which was also purchased earlier this year by the group's fundraising.
The League of Friends have also provided two mobility aids for the in-patient wards to help patients being transferred from their beds and assist with standing.
Mr Fulwood said: "Income to sustain this level of fundraising has been made possible by private and public sector donations, fundraising activities by the league and other organisations."
The last fundraising event organised by the league was the Christmas coffee morning on November 23, which raised £639.
Recently, a cheque for £756 was presented to the league by the trustees of the Bridgnorth Infirmary Football Cup fund.
Mr Fulwood said: "To everyone who has contributed by their generous donations and given their time to the league, a big thank you, it really is appreciated."
