THE successes of the Friends of Okehampton Community Hospital were shared at the organisation's annual meeting recently. The group chairman Martin Perry highlighted the donations made to the hospital, that included a new bladder scanner at a cost of £8,000 together with equipment for the leg ulcer and occupational therapy clinics costing £4,000. In total the friends' group spent nearly £14,000 on new equipment last year. It was pointed out that the ever tightening budgets within the NHS means the demands on the Friends get ever more pressing and relentless. Mr Perry expressed his thanks to the committee, members and all the many supporters who have contributed to the funds in whatever way. He also expressed thanks to the families and friends who have donated gifts and legacies in remembrance of loved ones. He said: 'This has made a huge difference and enabled us to continue our support for the hospital we all love and appreciate.' In his report he also expressed the great sadness felt when Wendy Bellamy, the former matron, had to move to pastures new in Frome. Mr Perry said: 'She is sorely missed by us all, the friends, staff and patients.' The friends have been collecting from door to door this month and were out in force in Okehampton on June 7. The group continues with the trolley service around the wards twice a week and will again have a presence at the Okehampton Show on August 14. The officers were all re-elected, with Martin Perry as chairman, Mary Rattenbury as secretary and Ann Lane as treasurer. The meeting closed with an appeal to all to recruit some new members — the subscription to remain the same at £10 per annum or 20p a week. To find out more about the group or to join, call Martin Perry on 01409 221376.