Hospital staff thank community for 'incredible' support

Hospital staff are thanking the local community who have helped them to raise £30,000 in 12 months in a campaign to refurbish their ward's palliative care suite. 

The public's ongoing support means staff on Scotter Ward at John Coupland Hospital, Gainsborough, are now officially half way to reaching their £60,000 goal. 

Donna Phillips, ward sister, said: "We can not thank the local community enough for the love and support they have given us over the last 12 months. When we set ourselves this target, we had no idea how much it would mean to the wider community or that we would reach this milestone in the first year. The generosity and kindness they have shown us has been incredible and overwhelming and it has given us lots of determination to keep going."

Donations received for the campaign go directly to the ward's own fund, which is part of Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust's Charitable Funds - a registered charity which supports projects to enhance services and facilities that would not be funded by the NHS. 

Donna explained: "Scotter Ward has two single rooms for patients in need of palliative or end of life care. Our vision is to open the space up in each room and redecorate to make it feel more homely for our patients and their families and friends. We would like the surroundings to reflect the kind of care we are passionate about delivering to those who come to us."

Fundraising events over the last year have included a black tie ball, a sponsored swim, sponsored silences and various book sales, afternoon teas, collections at Gainsborough Trinity and a stall at the Pedal Car Rally to name a few.

Scotter Ward Charitable Funds has also been nominated as the chosen charity for a number of organisations and individuals, including Marshall's Yard and the Mayor of Gainsborough.

Further fundraising events are also planned throughout 2017. These include a table top sale in the Trentside Centre at John Coupland Hospital on May 20 from 2-4pm, a quiz night organised by the Rotary Club on June 14, and the ward team are planning another sponsored swim for the summer. 

"We are looking forward to all the events taking place in the next year," added Donna. "We are also hoping to work with members of the community in the coming months as we start to look at the designs, potential colours and furniture for the palliative care suite in greater detail. This is going to be a very exciting year for us."

If you would like to make a donation to Scotter Ward, support future fundraising events or play a part in the focus group to decide how the unit is redesigned, please contact the ward on 01427 816500 or email charitable.funds@lincs-chs.nhs.uk.