Frimley Park’s lifesaving Breast Care Appeal smashes target

An appeal to raise £1.5m to create a better breast care service for local patients has smashed its target.

The news was announced at a special thank you event almost exactly three years after the Frimley Park Hospital Breast Care Appeal was launched with the aim of bringing the latest diagnostic equipment and a dedicated outpatient unit for breast cancer patients.

More than 100 people who had supported the appeal since it started in October 2013 gathered at the hospital to celebrate the successful completion of the appeal and hear more about where the money will be spent.

The appeal’s target was to gain £750,000 from fundraising by November 2016 with the hospital trust pledging to match fund all money raised. The total will pay for the latest 3D scanning equipment that detects cancers earlier to improve chances of recovery and will provide a new dedicated breast care unit.

Welcoming guests, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust chairman Pradip Patel said: “Thanks to you we can do something magical for our patients now.”

HR director Janet King, who leads fundraising at the trust, said everyone who gave their time and money to the cause was extraordinary. But she picked out some for special mention.

Among them were:

• Annual road race and fun run organiser Bob Fisher, whose event he created 10 years ago contributed £218,000 over the past three years.
• Staff member Chris Barratt, organiser of the Tour de Frimley cycling events across northern France which have raised £70,000.
• Lakeside proprietors Bob and Barbara Potter, who have generously provided funds and facilities for the hospital charity over many years – a recent all-star darts event hosted by Lakeside brought in over £20,000.
• Local company SC Johnson Wax, which donated an ultrasound scanner for the new unit.
• The Katcando charity, which raises money for cancer related care locally, for its donation of a cordless probe.
• Kim Knight and Sally Herman, organisers of the Paint Fleet Pink week of events which brought in £30,000.
• Retired breast care nurse specialist Pauline Boardman, who set up a series of community fundraising groups.

Janet also praised the dedication and enthusiasm of the breast care team and other staff for their tireless support, including consultants and specialist nurses running races, cycling hundreds of miles and giving up countless hours of their own time raising money and awareness for the appeal.

The initial target was to raise £750,000 in three years, with the trust pledging to match fund to the same amount for a grand total of £1.5m for the project. In fact the fundraising total is now nearing £800,000 and money is still coming in.

Guests heard from consultant Dr Fiona Hearn, who explained that the 3D imaging machine, which is up to 40% more effective at detecting cancers, will be delivered to the hospital soon.

The dedicated breast care unit will be included in a new building that the hospital in planning to start developing late next year.

A new video was shown featuring mega fundraiser Steve Radcliffe, who took on 12 physical challenges in a year after his wife was treated for cancer, and celebrating the efforts of countless others.

Breast surgeon Ian Laidlaw said: “I have been constantly surprised, staggered and amazed by the lengths that people have gone to to raise money for this appeal.”

More information about the hospital's charity can be found at www.frimleyhealthcharity.org 

The following pictures were taken at the thank you event (November 2016), the launch event (October 2013), Run Frimley, Tour de Frimley cycle challenges and Paint Fleet Pink.