Charity Gala raises £300,000 for Dorset County Hospital Appeal

A philanthropic group of Dorset based individuals have come together in support of Dorset County Hospital Charity’s Emergency and Critical Care Appeal raising an incredible £300,000 at a Gala Dinner held at Chettle House in Dorset.

The Appeal Committee, Chaired by Annabel Elliot, have helped to organise this tremendous event with around 300 distinguished guests attending the Gala including Appeal Patron, Kate Adie CBE DL, Martin Clunes, Julian Fellowes and Jasper Conran, amongst many others.

Other committee members include Ms Jibba Butler, Mr Angus Campbell CVO, Mrs Barbara Dooley, HM Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Michael Dooley Esq LVO, The Hon Mrs Peregrine Kitchener-Fellowes, Baroness Kate Rock, DL, Mrs Venetia Ross-Skinner, Mrs Lucy Sewill, Mrs Jane Shaw and The Hon Charlotte Townshend, DL.

The evening consisted of a dinner, entertainment, a live auction, silent auction and raffle, with prizes generously donated by members of the committee and their friends. Funds raised on the night have taken the total amount raised for the Appeal so far to £1.85 million.

The Emergency and Critical Care Appeal aims to raise £2.5 million to fund equipment and facilities beyond the NHS budget for the new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit which is currently under construction at Dorset County Hospital.  Funding for construction of the £100 million project has been provided by the Government’s New Hospital Programme and is due to be completed in 2027.

Annabel Elliot, said: “Choosing to support Dorset County Hospital was an easy decision for me; it is a cause close to my heart. It has provided incredible care to me and members of my family and, as so many others in Dorset, we have seen it perform these services despite exceptional pressures of capacity and funding. With this appeal, we hope it can deliver even better outcomes for our community and secure the health and wellbeing of Dorset families for the future.”

Head of DCH Charity, Simon Pearson said, “The Emergency and Critical Care Appeal is our most ambitious Appeal to date, and we are delighted to announce that we have now raised £1.85 million in total.  We would like to thank the Appeal Committee who have generously given their time and expertise to help organise the Chettle House Gala. The money raised has moved us significantly closer to our fundraising target of £2.5 million, which will enable us to fund facilities and equipment for the new Departments at DCH.”

Chief Executive of Dorset County Hospital, Matthew Bryant said, “We are on track to open the new building in 2027. It will be a really special facility that will make a huge difference to the care we can offer. Thank you to everyone who has donated for your generosity and kindness in supporting this Appeal. Your support will now help many others in Dorset in the years to come.”

The Chettle House Gala was generously sponsored by NFU Mutual Dorchester, Cazenove Capital, Edwards & Keeping , Knighton Countryside Management, Wessex Internet and Wrackleford Farms Ltd.

To find out more about the Emergency and Critical Care Appeal and how you can get involved and support this important fundraising Appeal, click here.