A campaign to raise funds to buy a new hoist that will safely transfer patients in and out of the hydrotherapy pool at Holy Cross Hospital has got off to an encouraging start.
Within days of launching the £30,000 fundraising target, the Friends of Holy Cross Hospital received a cheque for £4,750. The generous donation was made by local man Matt Dellar and is the proceeds from the highly popular Boxing Day run at Hindhead.
Christopher Hinton, Interim Chief Executive at Holy Cross Hospital says: “The hydrotherapy pool provides therapeutic benefits to both inpatients and outpatients. The pool hoist is essential for enabling patients with mobility issues to access the pool and so it is vital that it is maintained to the highest standard. Unfortunately, we are finding it more and more difficult to source spare parts for the existing hoist which is why we have had to take the decision to replace it. We are extremely thankful to the Friends for taking on this fundraising challenge and to Matt and everybody who supported or took part in the Boxing Day Run. I would also like to thank the Mayor of Haslemere Councillor Jacqui Keen for coming along to the cheque presentation and representing the people of Haslemere who so generously support the Friends and their fundraising.”
Boxing Day Run organiser Matt Dellar added: “Over 440 people completed the 2022 Boxing Day Run, which was a fantastic turn-out.
“The Run has raised funds for Holy Cross Hospital for more than 25 years. We are pleased to contribute towards this latest fundraising initiative and feel honoured to help the hospital continue with its wonderful work.”
Holy Cross Hospital provides specialist care to 40 patients with acquired brain injuries. In addition, hundreds of people from Haslemere and the surrounding areas are treated by the hospital’s physiotherapy and hydrotherapy outpatient service.
Caption: Left to right – Jo Hounsome from The Physiotherapy Centre, Councillor Jacqui Keen, Mayor of Haslemere, Matt Dellar, Torquil Sligo-Young and Rachel Sligo-Young from the Friends of Holy Cross Hospital.