We have some sad news to share. Our long-standing support group for North Walsham’s hospital is being wound up after 75 years’ service.
The reluctant move by the hospital’s Friends comes as we struggle to recruit volunteers, and takes effect from December 31.
Our final act will be to do our annual delivery of festive gifts to patients staying on the wards over Christmas.
We would like to thank everyone who has supported us with donations and legacies over the year – and stress that people can still do via – via a different route.
Our remaining £80,000 kitty will be passed to a charitable fund at the Norfolk Community and Health Care Trust which runs the 100-year-old hospital and will be ring-fenced to buy extras at North Walsham.
People wanting to donate to the unit and its staff, often in gratitude for the care they or a relative have received, will still be able to do so via the NCH&C Charitable Fund (registered charity number 1051173), which will continue to administer a designated North Walsham Hospital Fund.
Here’s a link to the web page https://www.norfolkcommunityhealthandcare.nhs.uk/nchc-charitable-fund
Over the years the Friends, formed in 1949, have used public donations to support the War Memorial Hospital with projects including building a training room, refurbishing a day room, buying equipment, staff treats and Christmas presents for patients. Earlier this year we funded a celebration event marking the hospital’s centenary.
Friends chairman Keith Jarvis said: “The decision to close the Friends has not been taken lightly. It is currently run by a small team of volunteers who took over when key members of previous committee stood down in 2017 due to their age.
“We have enjoyed supporting a hospital which is held dear in the hearts of the local community which originally raised funds to build it after the First World War.
“But we have found it difficult to recruit new members, so it makes sense to channel it all through the central Trust charity pool, while retaining the ability for people to make sure their donations go to North Walsham.”
The move was approved at an extraordinary general meeting of the Friends and is now being notified to the Charity Commission.
NCH&C Charitable Fund spokesman Carol Plunkett said: “We would like to thank all of the past and present Committee members of the Friends of North Walsham War Memorial Hospital for all their dedication and support over the years.
“They have been able to enhance care and treatment on top of what our NHS service provides bringing comfort, dignity and joy to many patients who have benefitted.”
