Volunteers raise $18k for hospital
A Nelson Hospital shop run by volunteers that sells snacks and gifts has raised $18,000 in the last year which will be spent by hospital departments.
This year, a television and sound system, stickers for bravery certificates and an exercycle were some of the resources different departments received funding for.
Nelson Hospital Volunteer Services vice president Rodger Curry said he had been working at the shop for over eight years. He is unable to work after having a stroke and has limited eyesight and he wanted to do something to give back to the community.
‘‘It’s just the fact of being able to look after the staff and patients in the hospital to give them a wee bit more.’’
The shop is open Monday to Friday and run by a team of 12 volunteers.
Curry said he then asked each of the hospital departments to put forward their requests for items they would like funded.
In the last six years, Curry said the shop has raised $105,000 which has been used to buy items for different departments.
Long-time volunteer Jean Cunningham had worked in the shop for the last 13 years which she said made her feel good.
‘‘I’m a widow now but it gets you out of home and you meet such lovely people.’’
Thanks to the funds raised over 2016, children in the recovery ward would receive stickers to make bravery certificates and a tablet computer. The assessment, treatment and rehabilitation unit were granted funds for a TV and music system and the emergency department were able to purchase new couches for the waiting room.
The physiotherapy unit purchased an exercycle for patients while occupational therapy were granted funds for cushions, games and books.’