The Weston General Hospital Scanner Appeal is a joint campaign run by the League of Friends and Weston Area Health NHS Trust. It launched in April 2016, to coincide with the League of Friend’s Diamond Jubilee. Its aim was to raise £400,000 for new life-saving digital scanning equipment and refurbish the hospital’s x-ray department.
Fundraising efforts and the community’s amazing generosity means the appeal target of £400,000 has now been reached!
Over the past three years there have been many fundraising events, including a bike-athon, a sponsored walk, a night at the races and a carol concert; all of which were a great success. Hospital staff got in on the fundraising activities and ran a half marathon and baked cakes.
Celebrities also stepped forward to support the Appeal including actor, writer and comedian John Cleese, Olympian James Cracknell OBE, best-selling local author Amanda Prowse and local racing driver Will Burns.
The League and the Trust want to say a big thank you to everyone who donated, including the Lions Club, Women’s Institutes Worle and Weston golf clubs, church and parish communities, sport and social club and all the local businesses that put on events to support the Appeal. The Trust would also like to thank the many charitable trust foundations who donated much needed funds including the Garfield Weston Foundation and the Mabel Cooper charity.
June Stephen, the Chair of the League of Friends, said:
“The Appeal has been a great success. I have been amazed by the support of the volunteers and societies over the last few years and the hours of fundraising that people have put in. I have been delighted to join with them to celebrate their success. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who’s helped, no matter how big or small the contribution.”
Jackie Smith Radiology Manager, Weston Area Health NHS Trust said: “The Scanner Appeal project has finished on time and to plan and already the department is seeing the benefits. The Appeal has transformed the area – we’ve a bright, modern department, with excellent patient facilities and high tech diagnostic equipment.
Our staff have been marvellous working through disruption as areas have closed and then re-opened again. They’re so excited about the improvements that have been made. Our patients have also been brilliant putting up with noise and busy waiting areas as various sections have been closed for work to take place. Some patients have also seen this as an opportunity to donate to the Appeal.
“Everyone has been interested in how the new department will look and are delighted with the support from the League of Friends.”
On Saturday 23 March, Weston Area Health NHS Trust and the League of Friends held a celebration to mark the end of the scanner appeal and to thank everyone for their hard work and support.
Almost 80 people attended the event and were able to take a tour of the newly refurbished x-ray department, seeing the difference their support has made to the staff and patients of Weston General Hospital.
Grahame Paine, Chairman of Weston Area Health NHS Trust, told attendees at the celebration of the strong partnership between the Trust, League of Friends and donors. The appeal has also forged new relationships, including that with the Weston College art students who are producing the commemorative artwork for the department.
Grahame added that you can still donate to the Weston General Hospital Scanner Appeal, as any further funds will be used to pay for additional works which have been completed as part of this project.
ENDS