Scanner appeal is handed £400,000

AN anonymous donor has given £400,000 to a Gloucestershire good cause, writes Melissa Jones.

The generous gift stunned the organisers of Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity’s £1.2 million CT Scanner Appeal.

Local companies, donors and community groups have all been getting behind the campaign to fund three new scanners and two mobile digital X-ray machines for the county.

Richard Hastilow-Smith, head of fundraising for the charity, said the anonymous supporter wanted to help make faster diagnosis and treatment a reality for patients.

“This is an incredible donation, which will make an impact for thousands of local people,” he said.

“We are truly grateful for the kindness shown by the donor, and to everyone who is getting behind the appeal.”

The current total raised by the appeal, launched at the end of October, stands at £405,466.46.

This represents 34 per cent of the final amount they need.

Local companies have been using their expertise to help make a difference.

Gloucester-based print and design company Colour Connection chose to support it as their staff ’s charity of the year.

The team are creating flyers, posters and banners free of charge to help the Hospitals Charity raise awareness of the CT Scanner Appeal and the impact it will make.

Tessa Falzon, account manager at the company, said: “We’ve been working with the Hospitals Charity for a number of years and know first-hand how their support makes a difference for local people.

“The CT Scanner Appeal is such a great cause and a fantastic way to make a difference for people across Gloucestershire, which is important to us as our work stretches across the county.

“Our design team are really enjoying giving time to the appeal, and it’s great to know that the print we create will help to make the appeal visible and get even more support coming through.”

Lodders Solicitors in Cheltenham have collected more than £3,000 through their ‘Make a Will Month’, which has been running throughout November.

The team have been creating or updating wills for free in return for donations.

Jessica Beddows, partner in Lodders’ private client team and joint head of the firm’s local office, said: “We work closely with the hospitals, providing advice to patients in the cancer centre, so we know first-hand how this appeal will make a difference for local people.”