Hospital x-ray machine is down to public fund-raising

A TWO-YEAR fund-raising effort for a new state-of-the-art x-ray machine for Newquay Hospital came to fruition this week with the grand unveiling.

Around 50 guests packed into a hospital room last Wednesday to celebrate the "fantastic achievement" of dozens of town fund-raisers who have raised £61,000 towards the £200,000 cost.

John Fitter (mayor of Newquay,) Sue sharp, Ges Shilvock, Vasant Maru, Stella Jenkin and David Whitworth (Newquay's community general manager) at the opening of the upgrade and refurbishment of the x-ray department. 1003tb0702xray

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust had already secured £100,000 of the £200,000 needed for the machine.

Following various large donations, and many fund-raising activities, the machine was purchased.

Kevin Baber, managing director of Community Hospital Services for Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust, said: "We are the proud owners of some state-of-the-art equipment here in Newquay thanks to the dedicated hard work of kind-hearted people from the Friends of Newquay Hospital, the Rotary Club, the Lions and donations from various people, including Mr Vasant Maru.

"This was a massive effort from lots of people in the town so thanks to everyone that helped us.

"It's been a labour of love for many of them and now we want to do similar projects around the county like in Camborne and Helston, as you all have proven that it can be done."

Mr Maru, who owns the Maharaja Indian Restaurant in Newquay, donated a sum of money early on in the fund-raising campaign.

He said: "Thanks to everyone, particularly Stella and Sue who have co-ordinated and organised the events, for all their efforts in fundraising.

"Everyone in Newquay has proved that we can unite and pull together for something which will be good for the whole town."

Mr Maru and his son Veeray opened the new x-ray room and unveiled a plaque dating when the new machine was opened.

An x-ray machine was highlighted as a need for the hospital as the old equipment was slow and led to long waiting times between appointments.

The machine will now reduce waiting time at the hospital, enabling more people in the town to have the benefit of the new machine.

But this isn't the end for the fund-raising in the town for the hospital. The friends are only £29,000 short of their £100,000 target, after just two years and two months of fund-raising .