CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – THE Alexandra Hospital Auxiliary Society held its annual fund-raising fair in honour of the institution at the Methodist Church’s ground in Charlestown on Thursday, March 5.
President of the Society Monica Tyson said the event was aimed at raising $150 000 towards the purchase on an ultra sound machine. While thanking those who patronised the event, she said this year’s turnout was low compared to 2008.
Among the institutions supporting this year’s event were Sunshines, Four Seasons Resort, Nisbett Plantation, Old Manor Hotel, Deon and Associates and Lefco.
The Alexandra Hospital Auxiliary Society was formed in the late 60s by a group of ladies comprised mainly of expatriates who made Nevis their home. Some of the first officers were Janet Platzer, Mary Byron, Margaret Lyman and Mary Johnson. Sheila Evelyn, who is still a member of the group, was the first local person to hold office when she became treasurer in 1974.
These ladies saw the need for help at the Hospital and the then Infirmary. As a team, they spent many hours visiting residents of the Infirmary distributing reading materials and other items. Patients looked forward to these weekly visits when toiletries and other essentials were sold to the residents at a reduced cost.
Over the years, the Auxiliary has undertaken many projects. One of them was financing the removal of wooden floors from the Medical and Surgical Wards at the Hospital and replacing them with concrete and tiles. The members also supplied trucks and curtains that separate the beds on the wards. They also provided television sets, drugs for patients and helped with travel cost for those who had to seek medical attention abroad.
The Auxiliary members supplied all the materials that built the rest rooms on the ground floor for out-patients. For a short period of 18 months two persons were paid to work at the Infirmary to assist with the work load, and in 1998 the members facilitated the building of the new Pediatric Ward at the Hospital.
In 2005, 36 beds with mattresses, 36 bedside lockers and 14 over-bed tables were purchased at a cost of US$118 348.10. Last year, the Auxiliary Society members raised EC$9 000.
The members have recently launched a membership drive. They also planned a variety of fundraisers and fun activities for Hospital residents such as birthday parties.
