HEALTHCARE staff turned the tables on a fundraising group that supports the Richardson Hospital when they presented them with £500 from a charity event of their own.
Last month, Nancy Coll and Katy Heslop, who both work at Barney’s community hospital, organised a coffee morning at the Masonic Hall, in Middleton-in-Teesdale, with the aim of raising funds for the Friends of the Richardson Hospital (FORH) to pay tribute to the group.
Ms Heslop said: “We wanted to show our appreciation for all they do and have done for many years supporting healthcare at the hospital.
“They tirelessly fundraise to provide equipment that enhances patient care and equipment that allows staff to work safely. They also provide treats for patients throughout the year, especially at Christmas.”
They handed over the funds to chairwoman of the FORH Pauline Harrison last week.
Their event also raised £500 to go towards the duo’s Ukraine appeal, which they launched four months ago to help provide aid and essential supplies to refugees fleeing the war-torn country.
Ms Heslop added: “We started the appeal on March 7 after a conversation in our lunch break at work.
“We both decided there and then we couldn’t sit back and do nothing so with the County Durham and Darlington Federation Trust’s permission we launched our appeal.”
They joined forces with Yorkshire to Ukraine, in Thirsk, a group which works with established organisations based in refugee centres in Poland, Romania and Moldova distributing aid where it’s needed, even into Ukraine itself.
Ms Heslop said: “It is strictly tracked and traced, videoed and photographed along the way so that everyone who donates can see that all aid gets to where it’s needed.”
To date their appeal has seen donations fill eight large vans with aid, but are hoping to be able to fill another van with more urgently needed supplies.
Dried and tinned foods, over the counter medications, baby milk, bottled water, nappies and wipes along with sanitary products and toiletries are needed.
Anyone who would like to support the appeal can drop off items at Utass’s office in Middleton-in-Teesdale or at the Richardson hospital, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4pm.
Ms Heslop said: “We are incredibly proud of our community getting behind our appeal donating thousands of items.
“There’s some extremely talented knitters and seamstresses who took the time to knit and sew some of the most beautiful cloths.
“We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated and a huge thank you to CDDFT, Sarah Meeson, of Vintage Essence, Ali Collinson, Carol Gargate, the pupils of Montalbo School and Middleton-in-Teesdale Primary School, Teesdale District Nursing team, Svetlana from Bodywork Direct, Tam Jackson, Andy Mitchell through Middleton Wanderers Football Club, Tom Easton, Staindrop Young Farmers, the local swimming clubs, Newsham Village Hall, NASSL Animal Welfare charity and Utass who let us use their premises as a drop off point.”
