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Charity night to help save maternity unit

Emma Fitzgerald
2/ 3/2006

A CHARITY night is being organised to raise money for the threatened maternity unit at Hope Hospital.

Around a dozen companies have donated gifts towards the event, which is being organised by Elaine Bates and Namita Webster in support of the Advertiser's Hands Off Hope campaign.

The pair decided to arrange the fundraiser at Patricroft Working Men's Club after hearing about Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority's proposal to shut the maternity and neonatal intensive care units at Hope under its Making It Better plans.

Tickets, costing £3 each, have been printed free of charge by Cleasbys printers in Eccles.

Other businesses have offered their support by donating prizes to be raffled off on the night - Friday, March 10.

They include a free cut and blow at Top Notch, in Church Street, Eccles, a cake from Just Cakes in Irlam, and candles from Colony Gift Corporation in the Lowry Outlet Mall.

Seasons Cafe in Eccles is donating two three-course meals for two and The Larder cafe in Salford Shopping City is providing a buffet for the night free of charge.

Interflora in Irlam is donating a bouquet, along with Hamlets Florist and Garden Centre in Eccles town centre, where the owner, Pat Letham, used to be a midwife at Hope.

Pat, who is asking customers to sign our petition in her shop, said: "These plans to close the unit are terrible. Salford is a big area and it needs its own maternity."

Elaine, 43, from Patricroft, said: "We've both got children and we don't see why they should have to go out of the area in the future to give birth. It's ridiculous."

Namita, also 43, from Barton, added: "Everybody's supporting us. Lots of staff from Hope are devastated about it. All we need now is for people to buy tickets."

The event takes place at the club in Legh Street, Eccles, from 8pm.

For tickets contact Elaine on: 07746 438633 or call into The Larder cafe.