Kempsey United Hospital Auxiliary and Pink Ladies volunteers have donated an impressive $7839 worth of equipment to Kempsey District Hospital, despite losing three months of the 2019/20 financial year to COVID-19 restrictions.
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The volunteers have been unable to fundraise, or meet, since March because of pandemic precautions but they still managed to make life a bit easier for some patients thanks to their donations.
Among the donated items were a Sara Stedy Walker, used to help transfer patients from a chair, wheelchair, bed or toilet, and a recumbent bike, used for rehabilitation and physical therapy.
Branch president Aileen Lewthwaite said 2020 had been a difficult year, but the group's volunteers were determined to push on, keeping busy making craft items and selling their creations to boost fundraising.
"2020 has certainly presented everyone with added challenges, and our little group of volunteers has had to come up with different ideas so we can continue to fundraise for our much-loved hospital," Mrs Lewthwaite said.
"Our volunteers have missed each other, and hospital staff, but the added challenges certainly haven't diminished our resolve as UHA members and Pink Ladies."
Kempsey District Hospital Acting Executive Officer Felicity Wardle thanked the volunteers for their hard work during the past year.
"The UHA volunteers and Pink Ladies are an integral part of our team at Kempsey Hospital, so we have certainly missed their happy faces and their boundless energy," Ms Wardle said.
"We can't wait for them to return to the hospital, but in the meantime, we want them to know they are missed.
"We also want them to know we are most grateful for their ongoing support and for the difference they make to patient, and staff, welfare at Kempsey District Hospital."
The hospital volunteers' next fundraiser is a craft sale at West Kempsey Credit Union between 9am and 5pm on November 2.
Unique, handcrafted rugs, hand towels, baby blankets and children's toys will be on sale, with every dollar raised going towards the purchase of medical equipment at Kempsey District Hospital.
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