28 January 2015
A Christmas Prize Draw run by Borders Hospital Radio Service (BHRS) has raised over £3000 for the difference to help buy a portable ultrasound scanner for the labour ward in the Borders General Hospital.
The small but dedicated team of volunteers put in hours of work in the weeks leading up to Christmas; selling raffle tickets within the hospital and collecting prize donations from local businesses and individuals. The response was impressive with everything from a spa day to a mountain bike on offer, and not forgetting the cuddly toy!
Borders Hospital Radio Service Chairman, Ewen Thomson said “We just love doing this Christmas Prize Draw, it’s hard work but it’s also great fun and generates a real buzz around the hospital at Christmas time. We couldn’t do it without the generous donations and support from the local community so we are grateful to everyone who has contributed.”
BHRS is a charity themselves and previously their Christmas Prize Draw helped boost their own funds but they wanted their latest draw to provide something for the hospital and it has proven worthwhile having raised more than ever before. Ewen explains “We heard the labour ward was hoping to buy a new scanner, it was perfect timing for our prize draw and we were keen to help.”
This donation will be added to the recent contribution made by the Friends of the Borders General Hospital in order to purchase the new equipment. Borders General Hospital currently has a portable ultrasound scanner but it is used by multiple clinics therefore this additional scanner will help deal with this demand and ensure women visiting the Labour Ward can be scanned as quickly as possible.
NHS Borders Head of Midwifery, Nicky Berry, said; “We are very grateful to Borders Hospital Radio Service for the time and effort they have given to help raise funds for the scanner for the labour ward. They already provide a great service to patients, visitors and staff so for them to do this as well is very kind.”
Anyone interested in volunteering with Borders Hospital Radio Service can leave a message for the team on 01896 826077.
To find out more about the difference please visit www.thedifference.org.uk or find them on facebook and twitter.
Borders Hospital Radio Service (BHRS) has been broadcasting since 1988 when the Queen first opened the Borders General Hospital in Melrose. A small team of volunteers give their time and skills to broadcast nightly between 7pm and 10pm playing a range of music as well as requests from patients, visitors and staff. BHRS can be accessed during these times via channel 1 by patients’ bedside.
Borders Hospital Radio Service is a registered charity. Registered Charity No. SC007716
the difference is a local charity that exists to enhance patient care in the Scottish Borders. We have almost 200 funds for each ward, department and hospital. Our work funds equipment, training, patient comforts, and improvements to patient and staff environment. Everything we fund is an enhancement to the services provided. the difference is a registered charity. Registered Charity No. SC008225
w: www.thedifference.org.uk
f: www.facebook.com/thedifferenceorg