A HOSPITAL’S fundraising appeal has received a £5,000 boost.

The campaign to raise £90,000 for an ultrasound scanner at Chirk Community Hospital received the money thanks to a bank worker’s determination to get to work during last winter’s severe weather.

Trevor Bates, who lives in the hills above Glyn Ceiriog, had to use a snow plough and tractor to make it into work at HSBC in Oswestry when the snow fell in January and February.

Trevor’s efforts to get to work earned him a HSBC “Local Hero” award and he chose the Friends of Chirk Hospital to receive the charitable donation. It is the second boost for the scanner in the last week after Chirk Town Council also agreed to give £500 to the appeal.

Chirk town councillor Jackie Allen, who is a member of the Friends, said they were very grateful for the donations but said the group would not be resting on its laurels.
“This is an ongoing project as the scanner has a short-term life span and will need to be replaced after five years,” she said.

“We would also like to thank the Llangollen Association of Friends for their substantial donation and the Chirk Charities group which recently gave £2,000 to the appeal.”

The decision to install the scanner, which would be the hospital’s first ultra-sound device, was made after Dr Nicolas Prigg from Chirk Surgery carried out a survey that suggested more than 5,600 patients a year were being referred to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital or the Wrexham Maelor Hospital for treatment.

The hospital’s previous equipment was taken out of service last December when it was deemed obsolete.

This also meant the x-ray department had to be closed temporarily but it is hoped the scanner will increase the number of outpatient appointments at the hospital.

Cllr Allen added: “There will be many more fundraising events coming up and we welcome any other fundraising ideas that people may have.”

Anybody who would like to get involved is asked to contact Cllr Allen on 01691 772265.