The functions of the Friends are:
- To encourage and maintain public support of the hospital, its patients and staff.
- To provide funds for the purpose of supplementing resources at the hospital.
- To assist in voluntary work at the hospital.
The brilliant work of the hospital’s staff is appreciated by patients and their families. But the health authorities often need help to help the patients due to ever-tightening budgets. That’s where the Friends step in.
We provide those “little extras” that would not get provided – or would have to wait. And that can be everything from a hot water boiler in a staff kitchen to a whole new building.
Over the past decade the Friends have given more than £370,000, buying everything from TVs and specialist mattresses to a new suite of training rooms, named after Charles Dewing whose legacy paid for them.
But we are just custodians of YOUR money. Our committee is grateful for the donations and legacies handed to it, and aims to spend it wisely when approached for help by the health authority and staff highlight the latest needs.
At Christmas we even do our bit for Santa – delivering goody bags of presents to the patients who are having to spend the festive period on the ward. Broadland Youth Choir visits and sings carols in return for a donation.