A charitable organisation is giving Watford General Hospital one final parting gift ahead of its closure.

The League of Friends have funded more than a million pounds worth of equipment over nearly 60 years and have made a final donation - this time to the hospital's interventional radiology appeal.

Set up in 1963, the League's parting six-figure donation will give a huge boost to an appeal led by Raise, the hospital trust’s charity, to raise £695,000 to buy a new scanner and equipment that will sit at the heart of a new interventional radiology suite, transforming surgery for patients.

The League volunteers have been running the tea bar in the outpatient department along with a smaller coffee shop near Vicarage Road but footfall and business has been severely hampered by the pandemic.

Chairman of the League of Friends, Norman Tyrwhitt, said: "Whilst we are sad to say goodbye formally, we are pleased that our final donation helps Raise make such a strong start to its interventional radiology appeal."

Watford Observer: Skylights, funded by League of Friends, in the children’s emergency department for the kids to look at while they are having procedures. Credit: RaiseSkylights, funded by League of Friends, in the children’s emergency department for the kids to look at while they are having procedures. Credit: Raise

Mr Tyrhwitt, who is a former mayor of Watford and honorary freemen of the borough, added: "We have enjoyed our long relationship with Watford General, where we have seen many changes. Our donations have been many and varied and I feel sure that hundreds of thousands of patients will have benefitted from equipment we have funded over the years."

West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust’s chief nurse, Tracey Carter, said: "The League of Friends is very much part of the hospital family and they will be missed, not just for their donations but for the friendly service when buying a coffee or snack.

"Over the years the League has got to know us and our services very well and their donations literally span from the cradle to the grave. Birthing chairs and neonatal equipment are among the items donated as well as funding to support our end of life care and supporting us during the first traumatic wave of the pandemic.

"The League of Friends has helped us provide a level of care that is above and beyond what our NHS funds would stretch to and they will stay etched in our hearts and memories at Watford forever."

Watford Observer: Dr Sankara Narayanan pictured with a scanner funded by League of Friends. Credit: RaiseDr Sankara Narayanan pictured with a scanner funded by League of Friends. Credit: Raise

To find out more about the Interventional Radiology appeal and the League of Friends, visit raisewestherts.org.uk or call 07435 802862.