MAKING a success of Victoria Hospital's MRI Scanner Appeal has taken a lot of hard work and motivation.

From organising fundraising events through to looking at the different types of scanners on the market, everyone involved has a major role to play and does so with equal enthusiasm.

The MRI office, in Furness Drive on the Poulton Industrial Estate, is spearheaded by director of fundraising Ramesh Gandhi, together with appeal co-ordinator Elaine Fossett and his assistant Linda Crawford.

They are backed by a board of trustees including consultant radiologist David Montogmery, who has been looking at different scanners, and Madeleine Jackson whose family organises Blackpool's 10k fun run, the proceeds from which were donated to the appeal.

Ramesh explained: "The trustees have a role collectively as well as individually.

"Under new rules of the Charities Commission they have the responsibility of supervising all of our activities.

"We have regular meetings and get together when an urgent matter comes up. All the decisions are passed by them so they have a very responsible role - and they give up all their time for free."

The appeal has also found a supporter in comedian Frank Carson who has so far given around £8,000, including £2,400 from an event celebrating 30 years of hospital radio at Victoria Hospital.

Help with fundraising activities comes from a band of permanent volunteers, as Elaine Fossett explained: "They support us by going around with collecting buckets, organising their own events and attending those like the successful Dickensian weekends held in St Annes before Christmas.

"One, Sandra Parker, works tirelessly by collecting donated prizes for tombolas and raffles, storing them all in her bedroom until it's full and then she hands them all over.

"It is difficult to find volunteers. When you're trying to sustain a long campaign you can't always expect people with busy lives of their own to constantly work with the same degree of of motivation and enthusiasm they started with.

"But we cannot fault our band of volunteers and we really appreciate everything they do for us."

Fresh help is always needed. Anyone who wishes to volunteer their time or make a credit card donation to the appeal should call 303142/5.

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