Christchurch hospital friends fund source hit (From Bournemouth Echo)

Christchurch hospital friends fund source hit

8:00am Tuesday 31st August 2010 in

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THE long-term future of a vital hospital volunteer group could be in jeopardy after changes to their traditional fundraising resulted in dramatically reduced donations.

The Christchurch Hospital League of Friends has been told by the Bournemouth and Christchurch NHS Trust that it can no longer hold its fundraising stall in the traditional spot outside the outpatients department.

The stall, which is set-up at Christmas, Easter and during the summer, usually brings in thousands of pounds a year for equipment and facilities such as the new £17,000 therapeutic garden which has just opened.

Joan Pounds, chairman of the Christchurch Hospital League of Friends, said: “We have had to use money from capital funds this year, but with another project to fund to the tune of around £28,000 for a new piece of equipment, this will become more difficult.”

Last Christmas the Friends held the stall in the volunteer-run tea bar, but say they lost a lot of money compared to their efforts in their previous spot.

“We’re here to raise money for Christchurch Hospital and that’s what we want to do.

“It may seem like a small matter but if we keep taking money out of the capital fund we will soon run out,” Mrs Pounds added.

“It may surprise some people but this was our main source of fundraising.

“We depend on these generous donations, and in turn the hospital depends on us. If we can’t fundraise then I don’t know how long we will be able to continue.”

A trust spokesperson said: “It was necessary to relocate the stand to ensure clear access for patients as the area was becoming busier with an increase in the number of outpatients, as a direct result of the decision to build up clinical services based at Christchurch Hospital.

“The stand has been relocated to the League of Friends tea room, which seems appropriate, and we felt the move would not impact on their ability to fundraise.

“We will of course discuss this further with the League, which remains a very important part of the hospital.”