KINDHEARTED fund-raisers across Dorset have delighted staff and patients at Poole Hospital by raising more than £50,000 for the Wish List campaign in just two months.

Since the Echo-backed appeal was launched, a huge number of charity events have taken place, along with generous donations which have boosted the coffers spectacularly and allowed a number of the larger items to be crossed off.

The Wish List works like a wedding list, featuring a variety of items ranging from just £1 right through to several thousands of pounds, put together by staff.

Although the items are not essential to the day-to-day running of the hospital, they will make a real difference to the lives of both staff and patients.

The latest donation to the campaign was a cheque for £5,300 from Sunseeker's Golf Society, which was raised during a golf day in aid of the cause.

Two thirds of the money collected from the annual event was handed over to the hospital's fund-raising team and the cash will be split between the children's ward and the neonatal intensive care unit.

Fund-raising co-ordinator Jane Hullcoop said: "We are delighted to have raised more than £50,000 in just under two months. This has allowed us to start to purchase many pieces of equipment on the Wish List including electronic beds for the cancer unit and the trauma wards and nebulisers for the equipment library.

"We would like to thank the generous people of Dorset for all their wonderful donations and the many companies who have, and are, raising money."

Next year's Sunseeker Golf Society golf day will be held on July 10. To find out more, call Don Tibbs on 07764 320530.

To find out how you can help the Wish List campaign, call Jane Hullcoop or Barbara Wells on 01202 448449, where there is a 24-hour answerphone, email fundraising@poole.nhs.uk or visit www.poolehos.org/fundraising

First published: Sept 20