THE FRIENDS of Fordingbridge Hospital have called it a day after 67 years of supporting the town’s hospital.

Earlier in the year the group made a plea to the community for new members to come forward after a number of committee members made the decision to stand down.

To celebrate the remarkable support the group has shown the hospital over the years, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust held a special event on Thursday at the hospital’s Ford Ward.

Ann Hickman, of the chairman of Friends of Fordingbridge Hospital, said: “Great credit is due to our members and the local community who have worked hard to support our hospital over the years. Their efforts have been very much appreciated.”

The event was well attended by the Friends, staff at the hospital and MP Desmond Swayne. Those in attendance enjoyed tea and coffee and a spread of food, including scones kindly donated by the local Co-operative store.

During the event Mrs Hickman cut the ribbon on a few of the latest pieces of equipment donated by the group – a reinforced wheelchair and blood pressure monitor.

Over the years, the Friends have raised thousands of pounds to purchase vital equipment, including bariatric and physiotherapy couches, an ECG machine, hospital beds, falls alarms, a beverage trolley and much more.

In April this year, the group’s charitable work came to an end.

They have also arranged entertainment for patients and organised volunteers to serve morning coffee and tend to the flowers on the ward.

Andrew Clark, head of charity at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, shared his thanks at the event, and added: “The staff and patients at Fordingbridge have always been so grateful for the generous volunteering and financial support the Friends have provided over the years.

"It is with sadness to hear that the group will be ending.

“For those who would like to carry on volunteering and fundraising for the hospital, we would like to invite them to get involved with the charitable work of Southern Health’s own charity, which will continue to support Fordingbridge Hospital and the people it cares for.”

For more information about supporting Southern Health’s charity, email charity@southernhealth.nhs.uk.

When the National Health Service was launched in 1948 a Comforts Fund was formed to provide those extras not supplied at the Fordingbridge Infirmary and the Cottage Hospital. The cottage hospital was later closed and the infirmary was renamed Fordingbridge Hospital.

It was not until 1986 that the name was changed to the Friends of Fordingbridge Hospitals and later to Friends of Fordingbridge Hospital.

Town mayor cllr Malcolm Connolly said: “It is a great shame the Friends of the hospital are calling it a day.

"It is indicative of what is happening in our modern society, and young people are not coming forward to pick up the mantle of people running these successful groups.

“It is something that aids the local hospital and I just don’t know the way forward to try and rejuvenate it into something new.”

He added: “I would like to thank all of them for their hard work and diligence they have given over the years.

"Hopefully, someone will take stock of what is happening and come forward to see if we can rejuvenate it.”