THE Friends of Okehampton Hospital held their annual meeting this month, following a conducted tour of the hospital.

Both chairman of the friends Martin Perry and secretary Mary Rattenbury stepped down after holding their posts for several years.

It is hoped replacement officers will be elected at the May meeting.

Over the year, the friends have helped the hospital with a number of items, including an ECG machine, a wheelchair, a Derma temp machine for the podiatry department and some Resusci Anne equipment, along with a couch for training purposes.

Help was also given during the refurbishment of the dining area.

The friends have continued to recruit members and organise the usual round of fundraising activities, including the flag week and at Okehampton Show.

The friends expressed thanks to Waitrose for their generous donation of £620, as part of their Community Matters scheme.

Plans are in hand for a reconfiguration and centralisation of services within the hospital during 2010 and the friends will continue to support this.

It was agreed to take part in the Rotary May Fair and arrangements were made for a coffee morning in Belstone on Saturday April 28.

Matron of Okehampton Hospital Wendy Bellamy, expressed thanks to the friends on behalf of the hospital.