A hospital league of friends, which has raised tens of thousands of pounds for Clackmannanshire patients, has bowed out after 50 years.

The league, which once had 90 members, explained that they had decided to call it a day as their membership had fallen steadily over recent years and they had been unable to recruit new members. They are pictured handing over their final cheques of £4,200 each to Wards 1 and 2 at Clackmannanshire Community Healthcare Centre.

Louisa Birrell, Secretary of the League of Friends for Clackmannanshire Community Healthcare Centre, recalled that fetes, which used to be held at Sauchie Hospital, raised between £2000 and £3,000. She said: “A lot of people gave their time when we held these fetes. In addition to pony rides and bouncy castles, we had pipe bands, accordionists and dancers, and doctors donned a white hat and barbecued sausages for buns!”

Latterly the group held coffee mornings, bottle stalls and a grand Christmas raffle to raise funds for the local inpatient wards at Clackmannanshire Community Healthcare Centre.

NHS Forth Valley General Manager for Community Health Services, Kathy O’Neill said: “I would like to say a big thank you for all the effort the League has made over the years. They have made a huge contribution to local health services over many years and we really appreciate everything they have done to help support local patients and their families.”

Staff at Clackmannanshire Community Healthcare Centre will continue to be able to apply for a range of funds to help their patients through local charitable donations and the NHS Forth Valley Endowment Scheme.

Pictured receiving cheque from secretary Louisa Birrell, is Staff Nurse David Walker.