Flying the 65ft flag for hospital appeal

In your hands: Hospital and construction staff, with the banner in the background

Hospital fund-raisers are flying the flag for charity by erecting a giant banner.

The eye-catching 65ft-wide poster has been plastered across the second floor of the Royal Oldham Hospital to celebrate a successful first year of the In Your Hands appeal.

Launched last February by Coronation Street star Jennie McAlpine, who plays Fiz in the soap, the appeal aims to raise £200,000 for the new women and children’s development currently under construction.

A year on, and half the cash target has now been pledged, but there’s still a way to go before the unit opens in December.

Brightly-coloured T-shirts were donned by staff across the hospital, from caterers to porters and medical staff to celebrate the landmark occasion.

Jan Bolton, the Pennine Acute Trust’s charity fund-raising manager, said: “The appeal has captured the imagination and support of so many people since we launched last year. We are challenging our staff and the local community in Oldham, Rochdale and surrounding areas to step up to the challenge and give us their help so we can reach our target. We have 10 months — it’s in your hands!”

The appeal has been given a welcomed boost by children’s charity MedEquip4Kids, which is working with contractor Vinci Construction UK Ltd to raise £50,000 for the appeal.

Once opened, the state-of-the-art unit will house 37 neonatal cots and 110 expert staff will treat around 550 babies each year from Oldham, Rochdale and the surrounding areas.

It will transform the hospital into one of three regional centres providing the highest level of intensive care to the smallest and most vulnerable babies.

To find out more about how to help raise money for the In Your Hands appeal, or to make a donation, go online to www.pat.nhs.uk/inyourhands.

Alternatively, text “Hand12” to 70070 or call Jan Bolton on 0161 918 4497.