A ‘FABULOUS’ fund-raiser has been honoured for raising more than £200,000 for Rugby’s hospital charity.
Tracey Lennard has spent a quarter of a century organising events for The Friends of the Hospital of St Cross, which helps to bring new services and equipment to the Barby Road hospital and improve the experience of patients.
Her latest event, an annual black tie dinner dance, raised almost £7,300 and took Tracey past the milestone figure.
At the black tie event, Professor Andy Hardy, Chief Executive Officer of University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, and Trust Chair Sue Noyes presented Tracey with a bouquet of flowers and thanked her and The Friends for all they do.
Doug Jones, Chair of The Friends, said: “These types of event don’t happen by chance – there is a team of people working away in the background.
“But every great team needs a great captain and we have been fortunate to have had such a fabulous person starting and leading the team since 1999.
“She has advised, guided and directed all of us and these events would not have happened without her.
“On behalf of your family, the Friends, the Trust, the staff and of course the patients, thank you Tracey for all that you do.”
Professor Hardy said Tracey was a real inspiration.
He added: “The amount of money raised by Tracey and the Friends is amazing and we, along with all the patients who have felt the benefit of their incredible efforts, are hugely grateful for their support.”
Ms Noyes added: “It is heart-warming to see the way volunteers raise the spirit of staff and patients at St Cross. Their selfless service, no matter how large or small, makes a huge difference.”
Since their foundation 70 years ago, The Friends have spent £4.3million on donations of equipment and support for projects which have improved the patient experience and made more services available to patients in the Rugby area.
Mr Jones added: “We look forward to celebrating the platinum anniversary of the foundation of the Charity with an appeal which will aim to raise at least £70,000.
“We are in discussions about two or three projects which will support the Trust’s ambitious plans for developing services in Rugby.
