Skills and expertise on show at hospital’s family fun day
05 June 2013
Events
Staff from all areas of Southend University Hospital are putting the final touches to a bumper programme of activities to make this month’s open day a grand day out.
The event, on Sunday June 23, promises a rich mix of
demonstrations, tours of different parts of the hospital, free
health checks, expert lectures and careers information. This will
all be going on around all the buzz of a fundraising fete with
vintage buses, Punch and Judy, cake and craft stalls, candyfloss,
face painting, inflatable obstacle course and all the other
attractions of an English summer fair. There will also be an
opportunity to meet the hospital governors.
The fun will get under way at 11.30am when reality TV show
presenter Lorne Spicer (Cash in the Attic, Car Booty, Trash to
Cash) declares the proceedings open.
Between now and then is a good time to turn out the attic for
any forgotten family heirlooms as local auctioneer Paul Stacey, a
regular of TV's Flog It and Cash in the Attic, will be on hand with
brother Mark to give expert advice. Cost of getting your treasures
valued is just £2 per item - with all the money donated going to
the hospital's Bosom Pals On The Road Appeal to raise £750,000 for
digital mammography equipment for the earlier detection of smaller
breast cancers.
The series of expert talks taking place in the hospital's
education centre at the rear of the will cover ophthalmology,
radiology, heart problems, orthopaedics, stroke treatment and
rheumatic diseases. Those wishing to attend one of the talks or
take part in one of the tours will be able to book their place at
the volunteers' desk in the hospital's old main entrance.
Fuller details of everything going on during the day will be
available on the hospital's website www.southend.nhs.uk
Lucy Thomas-Clayton, associate director of community engagement
at the hospital, said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for the
public to learn more about the hospital and some of the great work
which goes on here day in, day out. We have tried to provide as
broad a programme as possible with literally something for all the
family. So, as well as the chance to look behind the scenes and
find out more about various conditions, treatments available and
some of our plans for the future, there will be a vast range of
attractions for young and old.
"And we haven't forgotten what day it is - visitors will be able
to get themselves a full Sunday lunch in our first-floor
restaurant.
"All the money raised on the day will go to our hospital appeal
to ensure the best possible breast care for women in south
Essex."
With pic: hospital fundraiser Malachy O'Sullivan with valuer
Paul Stacey