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The very best of Friends!
Written by Communications Team   

For more than half-a-century St. Peter’s Hospital, Chertsey has had the enviable and unwavering support of a loyal group of supporters who have freely given of their time and energy for the benefit of patients, staff and visitors.
 



Pictured at the celebration held to mark the 500th meeting of the St. Peter’s Hospital League of Friends are (left to right) past Friends Chairman Mrs Nancy Jackson, Chairman of the Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust Aileen McLeish, Chairman of the Friends, Jim McCall, past Friends Chairman Mrs Pat Kerr, past Friends Chairman John Evernden, past vice-Chairman of the Friends Mrs Patsy Anders and Chief Executive of the Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust Andrew Liles.

 
This week the 500th committee meeting of the League of Friends of St. Peter’s Hospital was the setting for a celebration to mark this long history. (Tuesday 03-03-09). Past officials of the Friends together with past and present members gathered together in the Café Friends to hear current Chairman Jim McCall outline the registered charity’s work since the Friends were formed in 1951.
 
He said: “Its aims were to provide enhanced amenities for the comfort and enjoyment of all patients, staff and visitors. Since then the Friends have contributed inestimable amounts of money for an inestimable amount of projects and purchases for the benefit of all those people who come through the doors of St. Peter’s Hospital.”
 
In past years funding for the Friends came mainly from donations and events such as dog shows; garden parties; summer fetes; golf days and Barn Dances. Decade by decade from the 1950s to the new millennium Jim outlined the work of the Friends and said that in the last 12 months they have donated more than £200,000 worth of equipment.
 
Said Jim: “Nowadays most of our funding comes from the operation of the Friends Cafeteria and the shop in the main entrance area. All our profits are ploughed straight back into the hospital. We also receive donations from members of the public via bequests, donations in lieu of flowers and our charity boxes. These all go towards helping us to provide a more pleasant environment for all concerned. We are extremely grateful for these gifts.”
 
Said Jim: “By far the majority of this expenditure has been for highly sophisticated equipment which will help to keep St. Peter’s at the cutting edge of patient treatment. Most recently these donations have included: Endoscopy ultrasound equipment; a specialised operating table; chest compression units, “Manikin” training dummies; and ventilators for patients with breathing difficulties.”              
 


Former Chairman of the Friends of St. Peter’s Hospital cuts the celebration cake at the party to celebrate the 500th committee meeting.

 
Looking forward to the support the Friends hope to give to St. Peter’s Hospital in the future Jim said: “Without the donations we receive and the dedication and commitment of the Committee, as well as the volunteers, shop and cafeteria staff, none of this would be possible. My thanks go to them, and of course to all past committee officers and staff who are honoured to support St. Peter’s in making it a great hospital.”
 
Aileen McLeish, Chairman of the Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust praised the valuable work, loyalty and enthusiasm of the Friends and said: “We want to thank you for your support of the hospital, not only in the last year but for the last 500 meetings.”