NHS turns down cash raised by men in drag
FOR the past 20 years, it has brought a smile to the faces of the people of Ludlow.
But the light-hearted annual event to raise cash for the town’s community hospital took place under something of a cloud this year.
For politically correct health bosses objected to the male fundraisers’ tradition of dressing up as female nurses for their charity dash through the streets.
Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust has announced it has rejected the £2,500 raised on July 1 – to the condemnation of those who organised the event and patient groups.
Chief executive Jan Ditheridge said: ‘The presentation of men dressed as female nurses in a highly sexualised and demeaning way is wrong, very outdated and insulting to the profession.
‘We have previously asked that this doesn’t happen and therefore don’t think it’s right to accept any money associated with this activity.
‘I’m sure the event was organised with the best intentions and we are sorry if it’s made people feel uncomfortable or embarrassed.’
She added that the trust could no longer support the event, known as the Ludlow Bed Push.
A spokesman declined to elaborate on her position when the Daily Mail contacted the trust yesterday.
The event involves a team of men in nurse-themed drag who run around the town collecting money – in recent years without a bed as modern medical beds are too valuable to wheel around the streets.
It is organised by the Ludlow Hospital League of Friends and previously helped to provide dialysis machines and special beds.
This year, the charity is aiming to raise £150,000 to renew and update the hospital’s X-ray equipment.
Peter Corfield, the group’s chairman, criticised Miss Ditheridge’s refusal of the money, calling it an ‘over-reaction’.
He added: ‘We have not had one single complaint about this event from members of the public. The bed push was originally set up with the full co-operation of the hospital staff and has been happening for about 18 to 20 years.’
He said the money had previously been approved for the purchase of an ECG machine. Joyce Robins, from Patient Concern, branded the trust ‘stupid’ over its stance.
She said: ‘This seems a ridiculous attitude to take. It’s obviously a light-hearted event which raises money for a good cause.’
Engineer Mark Hiles, 45, who was one of the seven local men who dressed up as nurses for the charity dash, said: ‘We feel a bit discriminated against in this world of political correctness.
‘We’ve all got our own ways of living life and we haven’t upset anyone at all.’
‘Ridiculous attitude’