Generous supporters of Walsall Healthcare’s Well Wishers charity have helped raise more than £60,000 through sales in its Fundraising Hub.
The hub, in the main atrium of Walsall Manor Hospital, sells books, jigsaws, clothes, handmade cards and knitted baby clothes and blankets, alongside good quality bric-a-brac, and is open five days a week.
All items sold are donated by communities across the borough and a number of kind-hearted groups knit the baby clothes and blankets.
Money raised is used to enhance services in the hospital and community – above and beyond what the NHS can provide. And the hub is a collection point throughout the year for various donations such as Easter eggs, Christmas gifts for patients and various appeals.
Georgie Westley, Fundraising Manager at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “To work out that more than £60,000 was raised over the course of last year was absolutely fantastic – what an incredible amount!
“It just goes to show that all those sales of 50 pence books and baby cardigans that cost just a few pounds really mount up over 12 months.
“We are so grateful to people who bring in donations for us to sell and the groups and individuals that work so hard to make us items such as the baby clothes and cards. We have some brilliant supporters, of all ages, and their contributions are also valued, whether they give us their time, help us to raise awareness of Well Wishers or come along to our events. This includes our lovely volunteers who help in the hub or have fundraising stalls for us each week.
“We were fortunate enough to be able to create a Fundraising Hub within the hospital and we’ve worked hard to ensure it’s a friendly place where everyone feels welcome. We regularly see familiar faces, but new customers appear each week too. People tell us they enjoy coming in to have a look around as they never know what goodies they might find. We’ve recently had a collection of wedding dresses for sale for example so it’s always worth popping in to see what we’ve got.”
The hub is open 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.