Hope that Newport's appeal for new X-ray equipment could be met this year despite Covid-19
Coronavirus has disrupted but not derailed Newport's effort to fund vital X-ray equipment and the volunteers are determined to get over the line in 2020 despite the setbacks.
The Newport Cottage Care League of Friends and town doctors have been raising funds to upgrade the Cottage Care Centre's X-ray equipment, which has been used to help patients for more than 15 years but needs to be brought into the modern age.
The centre cares for elderly people and those living with dementia in the Newport area.
Now artist Jenny Muddimer has given two of her beautiful watercolour paintings of local landmarks to the appeal, to be auctioned off virtually to help hit the £150,000 target.
Organisations and individuals like Jenny have been giving up their time and resources to pitch in ever since the appeal launched last year, and the team had hoped to raise the money to upgrade the equipment by May this year.
Dr Nick Tindall from the appeal said: "We had hoped to reach the target by May this year but obviously Covid has prevented that and we decided to suspend active fundraising art the start of the pandemic.
"It has been very gratifying that money has continued to come in to the appeal over the last six months, with many donations both large and small, which seems to show that the community is still very much behind it.
"We now need around £15,000 to complete the £150,000 needed so hope to raise this by the end of the year.
'A big push is vital'
"The League of Friends continues to work hard to support both the X-ray appeal and the care centre in these difficult times so fundraising will continue even after this target is reached.
"Because of pressures within the NHS due to Covid the installation of the new equipment is delayed anyway but we are still pushing to get it done as soon as possible."
Town mayor Peter Scott said that if every household in Newport donated £5 the appeal would be met today.
He said: "I think a big push to get it done by the end of the year is vital."
The silent auction for Jenny Muddimer's paintings closes on October 31. The winner will be announced on November 7.
The paintings, which showcase the Cottage Care Centre as well as a house on the road to Lilleshall Hall, are on display at the Hub social space in Newport until then.
To make a bid, message the X-ray appeal Facebook page (facebook.com/xrayappeal) or email xrayappeal@gmail.com.
Collection buckets for the appeal will be situated at Newport businesses for the rest of this week. They are at Bike-Tek, the Newport Liquor Store, Vaypa Port, Samuels of Shropshire, Number 45 and the Barley pub.
