Page 325 - She's One Crazy Lady!

Supporting our local hospitals
With our funds rapidly increasing we were asked by KGH if we would consider releasing some of our money to help pay towards a Faxitron machine for the department – a machine that would speed up a diagnosis for patients, by testing samples taken in clinic at the same time of having a biopsy, rather than the sample going off to pathology which would have meant a longer wait.
In agreeing to buy KGH a Faxitron machine, we (Trustees) questioned the relevant medical team so that we could provide precise information to the public, via the Press, about what we were buying, why we were buying it, what it would cost and what difference having the equipment would make. We felt this was our duty to have all the facts to hand for the money raised wasn’t ours – the public had contributed every penny and had a right to know – we had to be transparent and we always had our credibility to think about.
There were often surprised looks when we asked these questions. Perhaps they had never been questioned in such a way but this was the stand we took then and continued to ask questions whenever we donated large amounts for equipment and resources. As a Headteacher, schools were rarely given any donations but if we were given anything, we made sure we involved the donors to let them know how we spent their money and made a point of saying, ‘thank you’. I also know that our approach with the hospitals was backed by all our members and the wider community.
I remember one time when we had pledged £66,000 to buy equipment that enabled breast cancer patients to have a biopsy whilst having an MRI scan. It was taking a very long time for the equipment to be ordered – and used. So, I contacted the Chief Executive to ask for an explanation. Within a couple of weeks we were invited to go along to one of their Lecture Theatres to present the cheque and to learn more about the new procedure. They apologised for the delay. When asked if we had any questions I made the
point of making them aware just how the £66k was raised...
There were a lot of medical people present. I told them that when we stood in a shopping centre or a supermarket on a Saturday we could, on a good day, take up to £2,000. This meant that it would take approximately thirty three Saturdays to raise £66k – 33 Saturdays whereby many, many volunteers were needed and stood for up to ten hours per day = approximately 330 hours times the
“I told them that when we stood in a shopping centre or a supermarket on a Saturday we could, on a good day, take up to £2,000. This meant that it would take approximately thirty three Saturdays to raise £66k. ”
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