‘Absolutely inspiration’ group hailed
A GROUP that has been described as ‘absolutely inspirational’ has been nominated in the Community or Voluntary Group of the Year category in the Moorlands Heroes Awards.
Save Leek Hospital Group has been campaigning to keep the Leek Moorlands Hospital open and to retain services.
Campaigners have attended numerous meetings, lobbied the CCG repeatedly and organised a petition for Parliament.
Leaflets, posters and stickers went out and reports were written for local press and social media, while more than 40,000 online petitions were received as well as paper petitions.
In a February blizzard, a coach-load of ‘Knights in shining armour’ set off for London, delivered the petition and lobbied North Staffordshire MPS at Westminster.
Earlier this month, the group was praised by local councillors who said it was the reason the hospital was still open.
Ann Sharratt of Leek has put forward the Save Leek Hospital Group for the award.
She said: “Absolutely inspirational, that’s Save Leek Hospital campaigners.
“Saving the hospital will be of immeasurable benefit to all in Leek and the Staffordshire Moorlands. When, suddenly, something is wrong with our nearest and dearest, the help of our hospital is vital, and all else pales into insignificance. It’s a weighty debt we owe the campaigners.
“They’ve kept the hospital high on the agenda of both the district and town council, and, subsequently, Leek Town Council have pledged to support the fight to retain the beds and services at the hospital on its current site.
“While the CCG has dragged it out, campaigners could easily have succumbed to battle fatigue and given up.
“Imagine how the CCG may have directed their powers then.
“Let’s show thanks for the dedication of Save Leek Hospital campaigners, and their stamina to see this through. They really are the sterling stuff that citizens’ groups are made of.”