60 for 60 campaign

Business leaders, community organisations and schools from Rochdale are being invited to put on their thinking hats to raise 60p, £6 or £60 as part of the NHS 60th anniversary celebrations.

A ‘60 for 60’ fundraising campaign is being launched by the Pennine Acute Hospitals Charity, which raises funds for Rochdale Infirmary, and acute services at Birch Hill Hospital.

Jan Bolton, fundraising manager, said that she hoped that a wide range of Rochdale organisations would register for the “60 for 60” campaign.

Ms Bolton said: “We always say that it doesn’t matter how much is given – pennies or pounds, it is all gratefully received and put to good use to buy those little extras. Small change can make a big difference!

“That’s been the case ever since the NHS was formed, so it makes sense to use that approach as our theme for the 60th anniversary.

“We’d like people – or the organisations which they are part of – to raise either 60p, £6 (which is 10p a total of 60 times over) or £60 for our charity. Those funds can be earmarked for specific hospitals in the Trust, and we promise that all donations will all help make a difference whatever the total is! If any big company has 60 employees who want to raise £60 each then obviously that’s very welcome too! And anyone working for a big business should remember to ask if their employers do match-funding, as it is now part of many corporate and social responsibility policies.

“The NHS anniversary is on 5 July, but people shouldn’t feel tied to that date in any way. Fundraising donations for the campaign are welcome either before or after that – we’ll be marking the anniversary with our “60 for 60” campaign all through the year until December 2008.

“If anyone wants to get involved, then they should give me a call. And if you fancy taking part, but are a little short on ideas, then again, please get in touch. To help support the campaign, we’ve got a list of 60 simple fundraising suggestions suitable for all ages. If someone simply wants to make a donation themselves, for any sum, then of course that would be very much appreciated as well.

“Kind-hearted people donated more than £150,000 to our four hospitals last year, and ‘60 for 60’ will help us drive that sum even higher.”