Fundraisers' apathy fears

The membership of the hospital's Friends has slumped to a record low to affect its proud history of donating to the various departments.

Just 350 people belong to the Friends compared to 500 only two years ago. Never in the group's 53 year history has its numbers been so low.

The decline has been caused by older members passing on, moving away or simply giving up their membership and failing to be replaced by newcomers.

If the shrinking continues, it will place at risk the Friends' ability to fund major projects. The biggest was the 440,000 scheme in 2004 to completely overhaul the hospital's rheumatology department with the work begun the previous year to celebrate the Friends' 50th anniversary.

Just before that, the Friends spent 230,000 creating and extensing a dialysis unit.

These large-scale initiatives have been supported by dozens of smaller requests for equipment which the NHS will not fund but which makes a difference to the lives of patients in its 50-plus beds.

Friends' fundraising co-ordinator Anita Sturdey said: 'We desperately need more members. People probably think it costs a lot to join but it's only a minimum of 5.

'The people of Bognor are passionate about their hospital. They have marched through the streets to keep it open as well as making other protests to support it.

'The Friends will always keep going to reflect that support but, the less members we have, the less money we are able to raise.

'That means we will not be able to spend so much. We will be unable to fund everything we are asked to provide by the departments.

'We don't want to turn anyone down but we are going to have to watch the pennies very carefully if our numbers don't increase soon.'

Membership leaflets for the Friends are available from the hospital's reception or from the membership secretary on 01243 865418.