GRAHAM Benbow talks about his work as chairman of the Knighton Community Hospital League of Friends.

“Since its formation in 1973, the Knighton Hospital and Community League of Friends has proved to be very supportive, not only the local hospital but also the respective clinics within the hospital, such as the Physiotherapy and Podiatry Departments.

“Reflecting changes in the NHS, in 2002 the League of Friends revised its constitution to include the word ‘Community’ in its title. This change has allowed the League of Friends to support various other local organisations that offer services in support of the NHS in our area.

“Some of these organisations that we have supported include Cottage View Residential Home here in Knighton; the East Radnor Day Centre in Presteigne; the Physiotherapy and Podiatry Departments within the Hospital; the Nursing Team of Knighton and District; the Knighton First Responders Team; the Knighton Community Support Organisation; te Knighton and Presteigne Leg Clubs; the Knighton Branch of the Macmillan Cancer Support Group.

“More recently and further afield we have been able to support other organisations that Knighton residents call upon from time to time, including: The St Michaels Hospice in Hereford; The Bracken Trust in Llandrindod Wells; and, Hope House Children’s Hospice near Oswestry. “I’m sure you will all agree with me when I say what wonderful and dedicated work all these organisations do and are therefore so worthy of our support.

“However, in order to carry out this financial support, we are very mindful and extremely grateful to the many legacies, benefactors, donations and contributions that we receive off the general public, in and around our area. All of the donations amassed since 2002 enabled us to donate approximately half a million pounds to these very worthy causes.

“About 18 months ago it was suggested to myself and to the other members of the league that one thing in particular they do very at Knighton Hospital was palliative care and this has been confirmed over many years by the family and friends of those who have passed through the love, expertise and care of the Nursing Staff and the Doctors who attend at Knighton Hospital.

“That was enough to prompt us all in the League of Friends to enquire if there was a room available in the Hospital to improve and provide this facility for the Hospital; fortunately there was, this being the old former x-ray room. With support from Cefin Francis, and his colleague Wayne Jones, we now have a new palliative care suite and we are all very grateful for their assistance and I am pleased to say ‘we got there in the end’.

“I would like to pay a personal thanks and appreciation to both Senior Sisters, Debbie Taylor and Jenni Jones, for all their help and support throughout the many months in bringing this project to its conclusion. I would also like to thank all my colleagues in the League of Friends who have given me their full support throughout these negotiations in particular our former Secretary, Mrs Shauna Davies. Finally, I’d like to thank Dr Martin Kiff for performing the official opening of the Knighton Hospital Palliative Family Care Suite.”