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New chairman for League of Friends at Ashford Hospital
Written by Communications Team   
 
Long serving members of the Committee of the League of Friends at Ashford Hospital have stood down after 15 years service.    Eric and Vi Molinari, of Sunbury on Thames, have held the posts of Chairman and Secretary of the League of Friends at Ashford Hospital for many years.

Speaking at the League’s Annual General Meeting on 18th September, outgoing Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust Chairman, Clive Thompson CBE, said: “Eric and Vi have been devoted to Ashford Hospital over the last 15 years and I know that we have not seen the last of them.    Ashford has changed much over the years and the League of Friends have many achievements to be proud of.   Eric and Vi’s dedication and commitment is an example to all of us.”

 

Eric and Vi were presented with flowers, some glasses and a bottle and a cheque.   Although they are standing down as Chairman and Secretary both Eric and Vi have indicated that they will continue to volunteer at Ashford Hospital.   Whilst the hospital has changed in size and role in recent years the League of Friends continue to provide a much loved service running the tea bar at the Main Entrance and the Atrium café as well as the ward and clinic trolley shop.   The Friends also volunteer in a number of areas at Ashford Hospital including outpatients and other clinics.

Honorary President of the Ashford Hospital League of Friends and Consultant Cardiologist Peter Wilkinson comments: “As well as running the cafes and volunteering in a number of areas the Friends have raised large sums of money over many years to help improve the environment and care at the hospital.   This has entailed a huge amount of work on Eric and Vi’s part and I know the Friends Committee will miss them greatly.”

 

At the Annual General Meeting Mrs Helga Swidenbank, Director of Bronzefield Prison at Ashford spoke about her role and Mr Thompson spoke about the successes of the Trust during 2007/08 and the outlook for the future.   It was announced that the new Chairman of the Ashford Hospital League of Friends is to be local resident and former Accident and Emergency Consultant, John Belstead.

 

Anyone wanting to become a member of the League of Friends at Ashford Hospital can call the Voluntary Services Manager on 01932-723239.