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Duckling Appeal gets off to flying start
Bedford Hospitals charity raises £4,500 on launch night
The Bedford Hospitals Charity's new Duckling Appeal has got off to a flying start, raising more than 4,500 on its launch night.
Dedicated fundraisers packed The Swan Hotel in Bedford last Friday to kickstart the campaign which aims to raise 200,000 for the Cygnet Wing, Bedford Hospital's maternity unit.
The Times & Citizen and Bedford Hospitals Charity have again teamed up to raise the money, which will be used to refurbish the unit and fund a second birthing pool.
Jayne Beard, chairman of Bedford Hospitals Charity, said: "This is a brilliant start to the appeal, our first event and we have raised in excess of 4,500.
"We have had several appeals, but in the last two to three years they have been around areas of cancer treatment.
"We now have absolutely superb cancer facilities within the hospital, but this time we have been asked to help with this refurbishment of the maternity suite and to fund a new birthing pool and we are delighted to be doing so."
The Cygnet Wing was opened 13 years ago by the Queen, with the help of 120,000 raised by Bedford Hospitals Charity.
During a charity auction, held at the appeal's launch, generous donations were made for lots including a football signed by England legend Sir Geoff Hurst, a case of champagne and a luxury holiday in Venice.
Mrs Beard said people were also already flocking to help out with the Duckling Appeal, and that her telephone had not stopped ringing.
She added: "The response we have already had has been brilliant, yesterday my telephone was cutting out because the battery was overheating from so many people calling.
"This is still not the only area of the hospital we are supporting, we still receive donations for the Primrose Unit and, in the last few months, have provided the children's unit with televisions and DVD players and a specialist exercise bike for the clinic at North Wing.
"We provide as much as possible to all units of the hospital."
If you want to get in a flap about refurbishing the Cygnet Wing and would like to support the charity, email enquiries@
bedhospcharity.org.uk or call 01234 404248.
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Weather for Bedford
Tuesday 14 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
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