Mary Reid

The Friends of Kingston Hospital is one of those organisations that works quietly and very effectively, but without getting the publicity that is given to the major fundraising campaigns such as Kingston Can, Born Too Soon and Momentum. But it is highly respected by those who benefit from its activities, as can be gleaned by the attendance of both the Chief Executive of the Hospital and the Chair of the Trust Board.

From left: Christine Swabey (Chair of the Hospital Board), Carole Heatley (Chief Executive) and Serge Lourie (Chair of the Friends)

The Friends contributed £82,000 to the hospital last year, and this was all directed at specific projects such as anaesthetic equipment for theatres and volumetric pumps for Critical Care. They also manage and fund Kingston Hospital Radio, and it was good to see Cllr Geoffrey Austin and his wife who keep that vital service running.