AN organisation which has helped raise millions for the NHS celebrated its 60th anniversary this week.

Romsey Hospital League of Friends marked the milestone with a coffee morning in the Town Hall on Friday. The event, attended by more than 100 people, raised £400.

League president Lady Brabourne cut the 60th anniversary anniversary cake and said it was honour to be asked to open the event.

Lady Brabourne, who has been been president of the League of Friends for more than 30 years, spoke individually to all those who had come to support the event.

Also attending was Romsey Mayor Peter Hurst who spoke of the importance of the Hospital to the local community. It was an asset to the town not least because it means Romsey is not dominated by Southampton.

He said that sometimes he felt there were almost more volunteers in the town than residents.

“The League of Friends is an expression of our community. I give them my best wishes for the future,” he concluded.

League Chairman Jean Denham said membership was thriving and that she sent out more than 800 newsletters per month.

The long list of items bought for the hospital by the league includes X-ray and blood testing units for outpatients, chairs for the outpatients department, Christmas presents for patients every year, free to view TVs for patients, crockery and teapots; a portable ECG recorder; a lawn mower for the hospital garden, a spirograph for outpatients respiratory clinic, a bed jack for use in patients nursed at home; an exercise bike for rehabilitation, hip protectors, wheel chairs and pressure relieving bedside chairs.