Enfield and Cheshunt League of Hospital Friends makes one final donation before being wound up

From left; Michele Smith, Palmer Winstanley, Michelle Alexi and Fred Hare outside Chase Farm Hospital — From left outside Chase Farm Hospital; Michele Smith, Palmer Winstanley, Michelle Alexi and Fred Hare

A hospital friends group has donated all of its remaining money – more than £140,000 – to a charity supporting staff and patients at Chase Farm.

After almost 70 years of service to the local community, the Enfield and Cheshunt League of Hospital Friends made one final, generous gesture by donating the £141,501.99 remaining in its account to the Royal Free Charity (RFC).

Founded in 1954, the league raised thousands of pounds through its volunteer-run tea bar at the hospital, a fixture for generations of visitors and NHS staff. But as managers Fred Hare and Michele Smith prepare to step down, they chose to donate the group’s remaining funds to RFC to support Chase Farm Hospital’s volunteer services and complementary therapy team.

Michele said: “I’m extremely proud. Seeing the human impact of the money that we’re giving is just amazing – more than I could have imagined.”

Fred added: “It’s really nice to see the money being used in an appropriate way and that’s always been our wish.”

Over the decades, the league has helped fund vital hospital equipment and refurbishments. Now, its final donation will continue that legacy by promoting wellbeing for both patients and staff.

Palmer Winstanley, chief executive of Chase Farm and Barnet hospitals for Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We have a job as a public institution to fund basic needs but there is always another level. A better state of mind actually helps patient outcomes and their speed of recovery: it makes a real difference.

“There are many examples of how the charity has enhanced the outcomes for patients as a result of the support that we’ve had.”

Jon Spiers, chief executive of Royal Free Charity, said: “This generous gift is a testament to the community spirit that has always defined the Enfield and Cheshunt League of Hospital Friends members. We are honoured to carry their legacy forward and ensure their generosity continues to benefit staff and patients at Chase Farm Hospital.”

Royal Free Charity is an NHS charity supporting Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. Its vision is for everyone served by the trust to have access to world-leading healthcare, delivered by a thriving workforce and driven by medical research that has a global impact.

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