Holywell Hospital has reopened it's charity cafe to raise money for added extras at the hospital. 

Holywell Hospital Good Companions have been fundraising for over half a century to benefit patients that visit the community service.

Now, after being closed for almost three years, the Good Companions café in the hospital has reopened to serve patients, families and staff.

John and Jean Saunders founded the Good Companions in 1964 when Jean, who was a nurse at the hospital, was frustrated about the lack of screens around patient beds.

The couple bought the screens themselves and held coffee mornings to raise the much-needed funds. Jean sadly passed away in 2015 but the team has continued fundraising in her memory to ensure the best care is given at the hospital.

Chairman of the Good Companions, John, said: “We are excited to have the tea bar open again after being closed for three years.

“Staff, patients and visitors are very happy to see us open again and to see us fundraising for the hospital. We are hoping that this year our events can return and we can continue benefitting local people with the money we raise.

“So far, there hasn’t been a request we have had to turn down thanks to donations. We’re here to ensure that patients have a more comfortable stay at the hospital by providing comforts and amenities.”

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Both John and Jean have received MBE’s for their work, with Jean receiving hers in 2000, and John getting the honour in 2013.

Before the pandemic, the committee of 30, plus 100 volunteers, had plenty of fundraising events taking place including fetes and their original coffee mornings to help raise cash for the hospital, which they are hoping will return in 2023.

Over the 59-year period they have been volunteering, the Good Companions have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds benefitting patients of Holywell and the surrounding areas.

The hospital has received a huge amount of things that go over and above what the NHS can fund, including many varied pieces of equipment, patient comforts and amenities across every department.

To support the Holywell Good Companions, you can make a donation in person by cash or cheque at Holywell Community Hospital tea bar or reception.

The Good Companions are always looking for more volunteers to help out, if you are interested in volunteering, please contact John Saunders on 01352 713652.