Dorset County Show has chosen Dorset County Hospital Charity as its charity of the year.

The hospital is planning to build a new Emergency Department (ED) and Critical Care Unit on the site of the former Damers First School.

Dorset County Hospital Charity is running a £2.5M Capital Appeal to fund enhancements to the planned new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit.

Nicki Ralph, Chair of the region’s largest annual agricultural show, knows all too well how vital the critical care services at the local hospital are.

Her husband, Nic, was admitted last year with total kidney failure and sepsis. He spent nearly three weeks in a coma in intensive care, 11 of those days on life support.

Nicki said: “This truly is a cause close to my heart. My family are indebted to the incredible support the hospital gave my husband who, without a shadow of a doubt, wouldn’t be alive today without their unstinting help. All the staff were amazing. They left no stone unturned to find out the cause of my husband’s sudden deterioration.”

She added: “It was all so sudden.

"One minute my husband was in Accident and Emergency feeling very unwell, the next he was fighting for his life.

"Many of us may end up in A&E or hospital but none of us know when we may need intensive care.”

Simon Pearson, Head of Charity for the hospital said: “Nic was one of over 50,000 people treated in our Emergency Department annually.

"It was originally built for less than half of that - 22,000 attendances.

"Clearly, there is currently insufficient capacity to meet current and future demand.”

He added: “This is our biggest ever fundraising project. This appeal will raise funds for enhanced facilities and additional medical equipment, making patient care even better.”

Dorset County Show, will take place on Saturday and Sunday September 2 and 3.

Dorset County Hospital Charity will have a stand at the show where visitors will be able to find out more about the hospital plans and donate to the Appeal.

Show organiser James Cox said: “The experiences of our Chair Nicki and her husband have highlighted the fact none of us know when we may need critical care. To have state-of-the art resources on hand at our local hospital makes us incredibly fortunate. We’re delighted to fundraise for this fantastic cause.”

Nic, 67, who is now recovering well at home, is aiming to do some fundraising himself for the hospital once he is fully recovered.