Fundraising appeal by Dorset hospital charity at county show

The £2.5 million appeal will facilitate major improvements to the Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit at the Dorset County Hospital.

Both units currently operate under constraints due to an overburdened department that was built to accommodate fewer patients.

Head of charity, Simon Pearson, said: "We need the support of our local community and businesses to help fund a range of enhanced facilities in both the Emergency Department and the Critical Care Unit.

"These include dedicated relatives’ overnight accommodation, mental health facilities for children and young people in the Emergency Department and a critical care patient garden."

NFU Mutual agents in Dorchester with their recent donation to the appeal (Image: Dorset County Hospital Charity)

The project build has been funded by the government's New Hospital Programme.

Donations and fundraising initiatives are still needed to reach the financial target for the project's planned amenities.

Various community groups and businesses have already supported the appeal, with contributions from charitable trusts, NFU Mutual in Dorchester, HK Law, Porter Dodson, and the Filipino Community of Dorchester and Weymouth, among others.

One recent fundraising event was the DCH100 Jurassic Coast Challenge which saw more than 50 participants taking part and raised £110k for the cause.

Mary-Jane Attwood, capital appeal officer, said: "We are so grateful to everyone who has donated and fundraised in support of the appeal so far, including our brilliant DCH100 teams."

The Filipino Community of Dorchester and Weymouth donated £595 to the appeal following a fundraising concert in Weymouth (Image: Dorset County Hospital Charity)

Fundraising officer Vicky Hunt said: "One of the biggest events supporting the appeal so far is the Sunflower Trail and associated events at Maiden Castle Farm in Dorchester – so many people have visited the trails and taken part in other events over the past few weeks and we are extremely grateful for this valued support."

Community members interested in supporting the appeal are invited to visit the Dorset County Hospital Charity's stand at the Dorset County Show in September for a chance to win a raffle prize and learn about other ways to back the cause, including online donations or participating in a challenge event.

For more information on the appeal, visit www.dchcharity.org.uk or email the charity team at charity@dchft.nhs.uk.