The regulars of the Prince Regent public house in Chertsey have been involved in a fun fundraising Charity Night that has netted £1,200 for the children’s wards at nearby St. Peter’s Hospital.

The event had the professional musical duo Smiley and Kerry donating their time with local auctioneer Colin Balchin using his skills to raise funds from the generously donated prizes that included a night’s stay at the Crown Hotel, Chertsey. The evening also included audience participation in an “Open mike” session where more than 100 guests encouraged the shy, and not so shy, to sing or practice their comedy lines!

Said John Woodman of the Weybridge-based company Woodford (WOODFORD) Tools, who organised the event together with Prince Regent landlord Roddy Donnelly: “The local businesses in Chertsey gave us magnificent support.  The musicians were excellent and auctioneer Colin was brilliant, getting the bidding flowing in an entertaining way.  Everyone enjoyed the evening, and we do hope to be able to run another similar charity night in the summer.”  

The money is being put towards the new High Dependency Unit (HDU) for children on Ash Ward.  Building and equipping is likely to cost £30,000 and should be complete by the late summer. The four-bedded HDU will be positioned opposite the nursing station and nursing staff will rotate around the unit and the 19 other beds on Ash Ward.  Each bed will have more space around it and it will have its own individual panel of monitoring equipment, including gas and air. Blood oxygen level and temperature monitoring equipment costs approximately £3,000.

Said senior paediatric sister Dagma Gohil: “We are looking forward to having a designated area for children who require high dependency nursing care.  To nurse children in a dedicated area means that they will receive seamless care which will be better than being “sprinkled” throughout the ward.  This generous donation, made possible by Mr Donnelly and Mr Woodman, came as a complete surprise and is very much appreciated.”