OKEHAMPTON's new hospital appeal has already reached £100,000 just a month after it was officially launched in the town.

Large businesses, trusts and individuals have all pledged money to the appeal to buy equipment for the new hospital and cash is starting to come in from local fundraising events.

The Okehampton doctor behind the drive for a new hospital, Paul Nielson, said he had absolutely no worries that the people of the town and surrounding area would rise to this 'momentous occasion'.

'I am very positive we will meet our fundraising target of £250,000 by November 2002 when the hospital opens,' he said.

'When I had an appeal to equip the Ear, Nose and Throat and Eye clinics, at a total cost of £15,000, I got tremendous support from local people. It was so successful that we raised the money in just a few months.'

Dr Nielson said all the equipment from these two clinics would be transferred to the multi-million pound new hospital which is expected to be at the forefront of technology when it opens.

Mayor of Okehampton Christine Marsh held a recent auction in aid of the new hospital which raised £3,500 and the captain of Okehampton Golf Club is organising a special golf day.

'This area is known for its generosity and any donations, no matter how small, will be most welcome,' added the doctor.

'We are relying on the people of Okehampton and its localities to run as many fundraising events as they possibly can.'

Like the clinics, which have been open for over a year now, the hospital will provide many new facilities which will mean people will not have to travel to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

Patron of the appeal Noel Edmonds, who lives at Jacobstowe, announced at the first public meeting on the hospital last month that he would be providing state-of-the-art equipment and services to it.

Mr Edmonds said he was delighted to be associated with the appeal.

'The thing I really want to do is to make sure this hospital reflects the fact we are living in the 21st century.'

Dr Nielson said the television celebrity, whose company VMC had secured the contract to provide 'telemedicine' equipment, was very keen to be involved in improving access of care for all patients through new technology.

'Instead of patients having to drive to and wait at the RD&E we can use "down the line" technology to give them optimum service at this site,' he said.

Retinal screening, digital X-ray technology and upgrades to the ultrasound service for pregnant women are some of things the hospital will be able to offer.

'We are looking to the future and trying to install technology which has not been used in a cohesive way before, added Dr Nielson. 'We hope this hospital will become a major example of good practice for the rest of the country to follow. The Government is very interested in what we are trying to achieve.'

Hospital architect Nigel Grainge has incorporated many of the ideas that came out at the public meeting into the second design draft such as access for the disabled, health and safety issues and transport issues.

A further public meeting is expected to be held in February.

To make donations or obtain further information contact Dr Paul Nielson at Okehampton Medical Centre on 01837 52233 or send cheques made out to the 'New Okehampton Hospital Appeal' to appeal administrator Nigel Percival at Millbrook, Inwardleigh, Okehampton.