New MRI scanner for Northallerton thanks to public's generosity

The equipment has now been installed at the Friarage and a new machine is fully operational. As a consequence, we have fulfilled our pledge in providing £500,000 towards the cost of the machine and building. This was only possible due to the generosity of the public. We have now concluded this appeal.

At the request of hospital managers, we now intend to fundraise for other developments at the Friarage, including the provision of equipment to enhance the local eye services.

This is considered a priority as the majority of patients with eye problems are elderly who find it dif- ficult to travel to Middlesbrough for their procedures.

I wish to reassure the public that all funds raised by the Friends of the Friarage will be confined to developments at the Friarage and Hambleton and Richmondshire areas as stipulated in our constitution . We have set up a mechanism to monitor the location of donated items to ensure that all equipment remain at the intended site.

The Friends of the Friarage is a registered charity run by volunteers dedicated to supporting the Friarage Hospital health services in Hambleton and Richmondshire.

We work closely but independently of South Tees Health Trust and the local clinical commissioning group.

Operating within the guidelines issued by the Charity Commissioner, we are accountable only to the general public who provide us with donations.

Since the Friends’ inauguration 60 years ago, we have provided over £6m for local health care at the Friarage and the community health services.

Being a smaller hospital in a rural area, running the Friarage has always been a challenge to the authorities and the current situation is no different. Those who care for this hospital need to rally around to support it as best possible. We intend to continue providing this service and appeal to the general public for their support for our fundraising activities.

Upendra Somasundram, Friends of the Friarage