A CHARITY has delighted hospital bosses with a £94,000 gift.

The Royal Voluntary Service presented Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust with the donation at an afternoon tea held at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

The money is the profit from the six café services the charity runs across the hospital.

Olly Young, retail area manager for the Royal Voluntary Service in the South, said: “We are delighted to present such a large amount of money to the trust.

“The money was raised through the hard work and efforts of our dedicated volunteers who help Royal Voluntary Service in its work to support the NHS as well as older people in the community.

“The volunteers hugely enjoy their work and it is very much appreciated by everyone who uses the services.”

The Royal Voluntary Service has been running services in the Royal Sussex County Hospital for more than 50 years.

It attracts a great number of customers every day, providing much more than just refreshments.

At the heart of its cafés are more than 50 trained, caring volunteers, who as well as preparing and serving food and drinks, signpost people to other services in their community and bring comfort, company and compassion to customers.

The funds were handed to Pete Landstrom, executive chief delivery officer at the trust.

The money will buy new equipment for the hospital, specifically a transesophagael echocardiography machine and a pulmonary lung function analyser.

The afternoon tea was also a chance to celebrate and thank Royal Voluntary Service volunteers, with four being presented with long service awards.

Recognised were:

l Jean Caplin for 27 years

l Julie Maddock for 15 years

l Sally Sowky for ten years

lJudith Varlow for five years.

Mr Landstrom said: “I would like to thank Royal Voluntary Service for this very generous donation, this equipment will really help our doctors and nurses as they care for our patients.

“I was delighted to join everyone and celebrate the dedicated long service of Jean, Julie, Sally and Judith.

“I know the support we receive every day from Royal Voluntary Service volunteers is hugely appreciated by our patients, visitors and staff and want to say thank you from everyone.”

The Royal Voluntary Service is looking for more volunteers to help serve staff, patients and visitors.Call 02920 739067 to find out more.