Celebrating 30 years of support from The Friends of The New Selby War Memorial Hospital

A special ceremony in aid of The Friends of The New Selby War Memorial Hospital is to be held on Thursday 27 August to celebrate 30 years of support and dedication to the community.

Chief Executive of York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Patrick Crowley, will mark the occasion with a visit to present the Friends with a commemorative plaque. The Trust provides inpatient and outpatient care at the New Selby War Memorial Hospital and in the Selby community.

Patrick Crowley said: “We’d like to congratulate The Friends of The New Selby War Memorial Hospital on reaching their 30 year anniversary. The Trust has been very fortunate to have the active support of The Friends, especially through their provision of volunteer support and fundraising efforts in the community for the benefit of our patients.

“This is an incredible milestone and one that represents years of hard work and generosity given by their volunteers. On a daily basis the volunteers give their time willingly serving refreshments, spending time chatting with patients or tidying the hospital grounds. Every role they perform assists our staff and makes our patients’ experience that little bit better.”

The Friends have contributed over £200,000 during the last 30 years and most recently donated over £11,000 to enable the Trust to buy eight cots for the Maternity Unit at York Hospital for the benefit of women who have had a Caesarean Section.

They have also contributed £25,000 towards the cost of a new Self Care Dialysis Unit at Selby Hospital which gives patients on hospital haemodialysis the opportunity to play a greater part in their own care to fit around their work and home life.

The most recent equipment purchased includes an endoscope for the ENT Department and four 24 hour blood pressure machines, at a total cost of around £16,000.

Carol Robson, Chairperson of The Friends, said: “I’d like to thank all the Friends for their continued commitment and support and also the people of Selby and district for their on-going support and generosity. It’s a fantastic achievement for all involved. The hospital has played an important part in the lives of all those living in the community for over 85 years and it’s been a pleasure to be part of that.”

The Friends celebrated their 30th Anniversary with a joint fundraising event followed by a pie and pea supper.

They currently have 56 volunteers on role and are always looking for new candidates so if anyone is interested in joining their group please contact them on 01904 724560 or email SWMHFriendsAdmin@york.nhs.uk   

27 August 2015