With funding now in place to progress the return of community beds to Cranleigh, Cranleigh Village Hospital Trust (CVHT) has announced that it will end its tenancy at Oliver House, creating an opportunity for another local charity to raise awareness and to generate income through a presence on Cranleigh’s popular High Street.
Enabled through the generosity of a local benefactor, the CVHT Shop originally opened in 2002 since which time it has been pivotal in helping to raise vital funds and awareness for the Trust’s campaign to return community beds to the village. Thanks to generous support from the local community and the steadfast commitment of the Trust’s volunteers, CVHT has now secured a Heads of Terms agreement that will return much-needed in-patient facilities to Cranleigh.
Commenting, Robin Fawkner-Corbett, Chairman of CVHT, says:
“This is a milestone in the journey of CVHT, and we want to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has shared our vision and whose support has made it possible.”
“Since launching in 2001, CVHT has campaigned tirelessly to keep community beds in Cranleigh for local people – including a High Court Judicial Review, which we successfully won in 2010.”
“With the preparation of the planning application now well underway, it is timely for another charity to have the opportunity to raise awareness and funds at Oliver House.”
CVHT has also announced the retirement of Christina Pearce, CVHT Administrator, who will step down at the end of June after 16 years. Robin Fawkner – Corbett continues:
“Without Christina’s dedicated commitment to CVHT we would not be where we are now. Although she will no longer be the Trust’s Administrator, we are delighted that Christina has agreed to join our Board. We convey our most sincere thanks to Christina.”
Christina Pearce says:
“The success of the shop has been down to the willingness and dedication of the volunteers who have given of their time so freely, and over so many years. We extend an enormous “thank you” to these dear friends.”
Mrs Diana Harley, a local resident who has volunteered in the Hospital Shop since it opened, says:
“I am delighted to know that the Trust is now in a position to start putting its plans into action and that Cranleigh will soon have 20 community beds. The volunteers who have kept the shop open through rain and shine have become a close-knit team and I know we will all miss our work there, but to know that we have succeeded in what we set out to do is wonderful. We will continue to meet regularly and will watch with great pride as the plans finally take shape.”
CVHT’s tenancy at Oliver House will end on 30 June.
