The League of Freinds of Ilkeston Community Hospital Annual Bed Push Fund Raising Event.
When planning the occasion, the League of Friends events team hoped for committed participation, community support and not least, some favourable spring weather to help replicate previous years successes of one of the League’s main annual local fundraising events. This involves teams pushing a hospital bed, complete with ‘patient’, the (almost) half-mile length of Ilkeston’s Bath Street, finishing in the Market Square. Whilst propelling the 30 stones weight uphill, team members collect donations from the ever generous Ilkeston public.
Unfortunately, the hoped-for weather didn’t happen. A cold, wet and windy early Saturday morning did little to encourage positive expectation. Thankfully the elements did not deter our teams.
First up were members of the hospital nursing staff, who together with their family and friends’ support, propelled their ‘patient’ to the town hall after repeatedly zigzagging across the street to collect donations from those who had braved the elements. Following the nurses, the team from Tesco followed, resplendent in get-ups that they had originated especially for the event. It was then the turn of members from Ilkeston’s blue watch of the Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service whose team was led by a water tender, just in case of a ‘shout’. Finally, a team representing Ilkeston Rotary Club completed ‘the push’ for this year. The boys of the under 14’s Ilkeston Rugby Club (The Young Elks), together with coaches and parents brought the bed home in fine style to conclude proceedings.
The volunteers of the League of Friends send their sincere thanks to the participating teams and to those who generously donated. Together with monies raised at the tombola stall, the revenue raised will help ensure that we can continue to provide support to our hospital.

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