League of Friends of the Scunthorpe Hospitals

Introduction

The League of Friends of the Scunthorpe Hospitals is a voluntary organisation which raises money for Scunthorpe General Hospital.

The League formed in 1948 a few weeks after the NHS came into being. The NHS was in its infancy and even then it was realised that government funds could not provide everything needed.

Funds now provide even less and the League still continues its work on a very tight budget. League members are all volunteers, each bringing varied skills, ideas and useful contacts, and give their valuable time and services.

The League raises funds by organising events such as the Hospital Garden Party in June. Each November we have a large Craft Fair with over 40 stalls in the Wortley Hotel. We have had race nights, car boot sales and Easter Raffles to name but a few.

The League receives donations and legacies and people have had coffee mornings, sponsored bike rides, walks and lots of other ideas to raise money for us which is a tremendous help with the work we do.

In the early years the League provided such things as newspapers, chocolates, sweets, flowers and vases, the hospital radio and curtains for privacy in the wards.

The National Health Service can give a great deal, but there are many amenities and comforts needed by patients, which it cannot provide. The object of the League at our own Hospital is to fill the gap.

The League is the means whereby the local community can share in giving for both the patients and staff of the Hospitals, many amenities which are not provided by the National Health Service and we support Special Appeals to meet urgent needs when public funds are not immediately available.