VETERAN correspondent Kate Adie has been announced as the figurehead of a Dorset County Hospital appeal.

She has taken on the role of Patron for Dorset County Hospital Charity's £2.5M Emergency and Critical Care Appeal.

The charity’s appeal will fund major enhancements to the new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit currently under construction at Dorset County Hospital.

This will include overnight accommodation for relatives of critical care patients, a patient garden and staff welfare facilities as well as a specialist child and adolescent mental health suite in the Emergency Department.

The well-known journalist and author said: “Dorset County Hospital is my local hospital, it is a privilege to be involved in this appeal.

"Our NHS provides an exceptional service and is there for all of us when we need it.

"Throughout my career I’ve witnessed first-hand the extraordinary work of emergency and critical care teams around the globe.

"The opportunity to help make a difference now to these vital services for our local community is highly motivating. I encourage our community to come together in support.”

Head of Charity, Simon Pearson said: “We greatly appreciate Kate Adie agreeing to be our Appeal Patron and look forward to working with her to help raise awareness and support for this important appeal.”

Kate was able to meet with members of the project and clinical teams at a recent visit to the construction site at the hospital, to learn more about the hospital’s plans to build the new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit.

A major fundraising focus for the Appeal is the DCH100 Jurassic Coast Challenge which takes place on 18-19 May. Teams will be walking or running distances of between 10km and 100km along the Jurassic Coast from Corfe to Bridport raising money for the Appeal. To find out more visit www.dchcharity.org.uk For information about how you can support the Appeal see the charity’s website www.dchcharity.org.uk or contact a member of the charity team via charity@dchft.nhs.uk