Friston Ward fundraising gets underway

Friday 10 September 2010

Rockinghorse’s project to renovate the children’s ward at Eastbourne District and General Hospital has received a fundraising boost.

The Chairman of Lion Hotels in Eastbourne, Sheikh Abid Gulzar, presented Rockinghorse children’s charity with a cheque for £1,100, which was raised at the hotel group’s summer barbeque.

The donation will go towards the charity’s project to renovate the children’s ward at the hospital. The £120,000 plans will reduce boredom for children who stay on Friston Ward and provide a distraction from illnesses or painful procedures by redeveloping the current playroom and creating a new adolescent and family room.

Lion Hotels, which owns four seafront retreats including The Chatsworth Hotel, held the barbeque at its farm in Pevensey, where over 150 people got together for an evening of food, drink, music and entertainment. The money was raised through ticket sales and a raffle.

Analiese Doctrove, Rockinghorse Community Fundraiser, said: “We’re so grateful to Lion Hotels for the generous donation. The barbeque was such a nice evening and it was great that there were animals there to entertain the kids!

“We still have a long way to go with fundraising for the project and so if you can help, either by joining a supporter group, by taking part in a challenge event or through making a donation, please get in touch. The sooner we raise the money needed, the sooner these fantastic facilities will be available for the thousands of families who use the ward each year.”

For more information about this project, or any of Rockinghorse’s other work, please call us on 01273 730286.