AFTER four years of fundraising, the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity has almost reached its £1.5million target to buy a new MRI scanner for Harefield Hospital.
The charity is now calling on the community to help raise the final £20,000 for the state-of-the-art machine by pulling on their running shoes.
The new scanner will help to diagnose and treat the most complex heart and lung conditions, helping to save countless lives.
Harefield Hospital consultant cardiothoracic radiologist, Dr Tarun Mittal, said: “The new scanner will allow us to assess patients who present with a heart attack, strange heart rhythms, those with heart and lung failure being considered for transplantation, and a host of other conditions.
“And this will lead to improved diagnosis and better outcomes.”
The hospital has now appointed a new consultant to head the MRI service in readiness for the anticipated greater demand of MRI once the scanner is installed.
Thousands of people have taken part in an interesting array of sponsored sporting activities and fun days to raise money and hundreds of generous legacies have contributed to the huge target.
Many of the fundraisers are patients who received treatment at the hospital and experienced first-hand how vital new technology is in saving lives.
The target is now well within sight and the charity hopes to reach it soon.
One major legacy could seal the deal or they might be waiting another six months for fund-raising to fill to the pot.
Keen runners can help smash the target by running for the charity in the Brighton Marathon in April, or their annual Fun Run in September. To sign up, visit www.rbhcharity.org.
People can also make a contribution by sending a cheque made payable to Royal Brompton & Harefield Charitable Fund to Desiree Zimmerman at Harefield Hospital or online at www.fundraising.rbht.nhs.uk.
