Local charity NURSE is approaching its 30th anniversary of providing specialist equipment for the local NHS Trust and the local community.
Over those 30 years, the five-strong committee of NURSE – which stands for Needed Urgent Remedial and Surgical Equipment – has raised more than £250,000 for a host of items through a variety of local fundraising events.
It’s a real, established example of David Cameron’s proposed ‘Big Society’ idea, and one which has made a huge difference to the quality of care and life for many people in the area.
Chairman Jane Tattam, from Beverley, runs a popular quiz at The Foresters, on Beckside, every Tuesday night, where HU17.net met her.
She told us about the charity and the stirling work her and her fellow committee members do.
“We are a local charity run by local people trying to raise money to help the local NHS trust and the individuals in the surrounding community.
“Money goes towards anything managers and departmental heads bid for within the trust or within the community for equipment to aid or help support the welfare of patients, either going through the major hospitals or help for individuals in their own home.
“So that can be anything from cutting edge, hi-tech equipment down to maybe a couple of pillows or some pressure-relieving stuff just to give someone comfort at home.”
The charity – which was founded in 1981 but did not become an registered charity until 1991 – came into being with a one-off fundraising event.
Jane, who at the time was a ward sister at Hull Royal Infirmary, saw the need for a special hoist to help patients in and out of the bath. The new item cost £1,000 but did not fall within the tight budget at the time.
She organised a pub-crawl in Hull, the money was raised and NURSE was born.
Jane is backed-up on the committee by vice-chairman Vera Robinson, Jane’s sister Wendy Tattam, who is secretary, community liaison officer Lynne Harbour and treasurer Julie Meachen. Julie lives in New Zealand and does the legal side of things online.
Over the years, other fundraising events have included Lord Mayor’s Parades, pantomimes, reviews and car-boot sales. Currently, the main fundraisers are The Foresters quiz and the annual 20 mile sponsored walk, starting and finishing at The Foresters in September.
Jane continued: “If you look at the NHS it has always needed a bit of support and because you can’t save the world, we just wanted to do something in our own little corner and support our little bit of the health service.
“The principle of the NHS is excellent, it was once the wonder of the world and I don’t think it should ever go, so when you work in that environment you see the need for different bits and pieces.
“It’s not a bottomless pit as far as budgets are concerned so we decided to go out and help our little corner of a) where we work and b) the community.
“The charity, when it kicked off, was to help where we were working, to help not only the patients but the staff involved as well.
“But it is also a social thing as well, it tends to bring people together and it creates a good atmosphere and goodwill and a feelgood factor.
“Take this quiz. There’s a lot of camaraderie, everyone knows us – we are regulars here – it’s a friendly place and people know where the money is going to and they are happy to support us.
“Landlord and landlady John and Sue (Marson)’s support is fantastic. They put themselves out for us, give us beer tokens, let me have the room and equipment for free and they always put on a free meal for us all after the sponsored walk.
“We really appreciate their support.”
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