21 October 2009
Sometimes it seems that everybody's birthday comes at once and that's certainly true at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, as six of the charities that support the hospitals are celebrating landmark birthdays this year.
Coincidentally, the League of Friends for St Helier and Sutton Hospitals are marking 60 years of service, the Friends of Epsom Hospital and the WRVS are celebrating their 50th birthdays, Epsom Hospital Radio and Epsom Medical Equipment Fund are turning 30, and DICE (Disability Information Centre Epsom) have 15 candles to blow out.
To mark the occasion and thank the charities for their support, the Trust presented each with a special commemorative plaque at the reception held at Epsom Racecourse recently.
Chief Executive, Samantha Jones said: "With a combined age of 235, we are all incredibly proud of and grateful for the support of these six charities. We wish all of them a very happy birthday and hope that their success continues for many years to come.
"Our charities, including those not celebrating special birthdays this year, and the dedicated volunteers that work within them are an asset to our hospitals, and we owe all of them a huge thank you for their continuing hard work."
Val Brundle, the chairman of the League of Friends of St Helier and Sutton Hospitals said: "Our volunteers are incredibly proud to be part of such a long-running charity. So far, the Friends have raised more than £5 million for the benefit of our patients and their loved ones, and it's an honour to be a part of that."
"We had no idea we were going to be presented with the plaques. It was a really pleasant surprise, and we're grateful that the achievement of running for 60 years was recognised by the Trust."
Bess Harding, the fund co-ordinator for Epsom Medical Equipment Fund said: "30 years and over £3 million later we're still a small but effective charity that has had wonderful support from the community. From special pillows costing £10 to a half million pound CT scanner, every piece of equipment purchased has made a difference to our local hospital and, of course the patients. Our small team sends a big ‘thank you' to everyone who has helped in any way."
