The Friends of Ashfield’s history of helping

Ron Chamberlain celebrated not only turning 90 on 31st October but also his efforts at making The Friends of Ashfield Health Village a success.

The former Ashfield District Council chairman set the charity up in 1995.

Since opening it has worked hard to support Ashfield Health Village and its former community hospital in Kirkby.

The charity has raised more than £250,000 for various equipment and facilities for the health village since starting out.

Suzanne Franks, honary secretary for the charity, said: “Ron has been very active in supporting the health village since The Friends of Ashfield was first set up.

“The Friends of Ashfield has in a sense been his baby from the start, he was key in choosing the actual site of the former community hospital and now health village before it was even built.

“I remember when the Chad came down to take photos of workers in hard hats digging up the first spadeful of sods.”

The charity supports the health village with requests put forward to it from staff and patients in any way that it can.

It holds fundraisers throughout the year to help raise the money.

The charity’s biggest donation to date was the installation of the sun lounge which cost approximately £50,000.

Friend of Ashfield member, Peggy Pollard from Sutton, also celebrated turning 80 on 14th November.

The charity celebrated with cakes and balloons at its last committee meeting.

Ms Pollard began volunteering for the charity when it was first set up after retiring from the Chad when it was owned by the Linneys.

Ms Franks added: “Ron is very well known locally in Kikrby.

“He has done a lot for the area and we wanted to give him some recognition.”