THE Friends of St Cross’ £60,000 campaign to relocate and revamp the hospital’s blood taking service is nearing its first milestone – just three weeks after it was launched.
Donations now total £9,125 – a third of which is made up of personal donations with the rest from businesses and community groups, and topped up through Gift Aid tax relief.
The group is aiming to hit its target and get the work completed on the phlebotomy service by the end of next year – the Friends’ own diamond jubilee year.
Proposals have been drawn up to move it into the heart of the Rainsbrook Wing, double its capacity and create its own dedicated access from what is currently the volunteers’ car park.
Spokesman Willy Goldschmidt said: “I would like to thank you and the people of Rugby for the fantastic support we have received.
“Of course the sooner we reach the target the sooner we can get the project underway so we would be delighted to hear from others who would like to support the appeal in whatever way they can.
“Readers can email [email protected] to tell us their plans, every donation helps no matter how small.”
The Friends have also supplied a foetal heart simulator, which calibrates heart monitors used by midwives at their clinics or home visits, to the hospital’s medical engineering and bioengineering service (MEBS). It will mean the vital machines no longer have to be sent away for checking as they do now.
To support the Diamond Jubilee Appeal donate online at localgiving.com/friendsdiamondjubilee, send a cheque to The Friends of St Cross’ at Brookfield House, Barby Road, Rugby, CV22 5PX or deposit cash in the cylinders at out patients or blood taking departments.
Alan Williams from St Cross’ medical engineering and bioengineering service with the foetal heart simulator. Picture by Bob Mercer
