THE NHS may have spent £10 million on Dursley’s state-of-the-art hospital but it is a dedicated band of volunteers that are making the finishing touches to the facility.

The Vale Community Hospital opened on the Littlecombe site in Dursley last December but for more than a year before that an enthusiastic group of people established the hospital’s League of Friends.

For the past two years the group, which now has 40 volunteers, has been organising countless fundraising initiatives and events from fashion shows, monthly coffee mornings, concerts and garden parties.

The purpose of these events, some of which have been held free of charge at the Prince of Wales Hotel, is to raise vital funds to help pay for equipment and items not covered or affordable to the NHS.

With the help of donations from the Dursley Lions and Dursley Rotary the League of Friends have been able to buy a microscope for the new ears, nose and throat clinic at the hospital and have put money towards a new plastering saw, which will allow the hospital to have a plastering clinic.

The group has also ordered two exercise bikes for the hospital’s gym to help with patients’ physiotherapy.

Myrtle Moreton-Cox, chairman of the league of friends, said: "Some of the money we’ve raised we are keeping ready for when we need to buy equipment or anything that helps improve the lives of the patients and staff."

She added: "As we get more facilities there will be more equipment needed."

Mrs Moreton-Cox said the League of Friends is also hoping to get more involved in the day to day running of the hospital through volunteering on reception and working on the wards.

She said: "A lot of are volunteers are very keen to get more involved with the hospital."

At the moment the hospital’s reception is closed after 5pm, but the group hopes to start a rota that means it can remain open during evening clinics.

The group is also hoping to start organising public meetings, to be held at different venues across the area, where people can learn more about what it does.

The first will be held at the Civic Centre, Wotton-under Edge, on Thursday, November 1 (7pm).

The League of Friends’ next fundraisers will be a coffee morning at Dursley Methodist Church on Friday, August 24 (10am-12pm), and a concert by the Stuart Singers at St George’s Church, Cam on Friday, September 21 (7.30pm).

For more information about the League of Friends visit www.friendsofvalehospital.org.uk To get involved email membership@friendsofvalehospital.org.uk