Thousands of revellers helped raise more than £3,500 on Sunday for the Breast Care Unit at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.
With Highcliffe Castle as a backdrop to the free jazz concert, crowds danced to music from Swing Unlimited Big Band and enjoyed picnics in the sun. An estimated 2,500 people attended the event, with many buying raffle tickets for a chance to win two return tickets to New York City and many more prizes. Over £3,500 was raised for the charity through raffle ticket sales and generous donations.
One of the prize winners, Sara Gorgeon, said: “What a lovely surprise – I purchased the raffle tickets because I have good reason to be grateful to the Well Women’s Clinic, so to win a prize as well is just the icing on the cake!”
Richard Renaut, the hospital Trust’s Director of Service Development, joined hospital staff and volunteers to sell raffle tickets on the day. He said: “What a fantastic afternoon, it was great to see so many people enjoying the event, the band really rose to the occasion and the sun was certainly on our side. It was also wonderful to see the generosity from people supporting Bournemouth Hospital Charity.
“The charity would like to extend its thanks to all who attended the concert and especially to our volunteers from the hospital and the community who gave up their time to help. Particular thanks also go to the Tulip Appeal for helping organise the concert and to Fiona Castle, the patron of our Jigsaw Appeal, who has supported our cause over the years.”
The Breast Care Unit will form part of the Women’s Health Unit in the new Jigsaw Building, which will be a centre of excellence to screen, diagnose and treat patients with breast and gynaecological cancer and for families undergoing complications in early pregnancy, including miscarriages.
You can find photos and videos from the jazz concert on Flickr and Facebook, accessible through the charity website www.bournemouthhospitalcharity.org
