Harrogate Hospital & Community Friends
The Harrogate Hospital & Community Friends aim to raise funds for special equipment, and provide additional amenities and comforts for patients and staff. In addition, the group hopes to raise awareness and encourage support of the hospital by the local community in the form of voluntary services and donations.They hold a range of events and organise fundraising activities to raise money for state-of-the-art hospital equipment. In a typical year, raising between £50,000 and £100,000 and supporting around 30 different projects for wards and departments across Harrogate Hospital. Every penny is spent in consultation with Trust staff so we can ensure that we’re doing the very best for the patients.
The incredible commitment of the Friends impressed the Queen who commented, “You hospital Friends do splendid work”, on a visit to Harrogate Hospital.
Since its foundation in 1966, Friends has witnessed generosity of individuals, businesses and charitable trusts that has surpassed their expectations and allowed them to raise around £50,000 a year. Supporters include pop bands, choirs, ploughing associations, women’s institutes and play groups. All groups have fun volunteering and fund-raising through events such as sky dives, golf open days, school charity balls, concerts, fishing contests, marathons, car cleaning events, coffee mornings and raffles.
The Harrogate Hospital & Community Friends enjoy a challenge. They were given the task of raising £300,000 in 18 months to purchase an MRI scanner for a new unit under construction. The Friends rose to the challenge and the new scanner arrived in November 2004, allowing the unit to open in January 2005. The scanner has greatly improved the Radiology facilities, enabling medical staff to offer new standards of patient care and dignity while reducing the waiting list, and allowing urgent cases to be investigated without delay.
This year, the Friends are celebrating their 55th Anniversary. They have raised an amazing £2.25m to provide equipment or services which could not be funded from the NHS budget at the time. As part of the Friends’ 55th Anniversary celebrations, the Friends commissioned Sandra Gascoigne, a local Dales artist, to produce a collage of cartoons; a humorous tribute to all who work in the NHS. The Friends were pleased that Councillor Trevor Chapman, Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate has selected the Friends of Harrogate Hospital as one of his charities for his Mayoral year.
2020 was a particularly difficult year due to Covid-19 for the Friends to raise money, but we managed to raise £34,685.00 which enabled us to acquire 14 pieces of equipment.
Created prior to 2011. Updated 2021
Harrogate Hospital and Community Friends benefit from Attend membership, which includes comprehensive charity insurance cover. For more information, or to join, please click here.
