The Benalla Health Annual Appeal has always been met with a great outpouring of support for the well-respected health service from across all sectors of the community.
Benalla Health Board Chair Louise Armstrong said this year’s appeal came in the midst of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.
“Now, even more than ever, health services are in critical demand,” she said,
“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown just how essential hospitals and trained medical staff are at a local, national and international level.  We are very proud of the contribution that Benalla Health is making to these new challenges.”
Ms Armstrong said Benalla Health would be using the Annual Appeal to help raise money to buy a new community bus.
“Our current bus is in need of replacement and we hope the community can support us in our efforts to purchase a new vehicle.” she said.
“The bus will be used for our residents in the Morrie Evans Wing aged care facility as well as visitors to our day activities centre to enable them to get out in the community, meet people and take part in activities that they enjoy. This is something our residents are greatly looking forward to resuming once this pandemic is over.”
Last year’s annual appeal raised significant funds to refurbish the Benalla Health operating theatre, where more than 2200 surgical procedures are performed each year.
It also helped to purchase vital medical equipment for the theatre.
Previous appeals have provided significant contributions towards the purchase of equipment such as patient monitoring systems, defibrillators, the upgrade and refurbishment of the Urgent Care Centre, refurbishment of the Morrie Evans Wing, a new birthing bed for the Midwifery Unit and an instrument washer for theatre.
Ms Armstrong said appeal donation forms would be arriving in community letterboxes over the coming weeks.
“We understand the reduced capacity of some of our community to give this year but would still like to provide the opportunity for those that can, to do so. Every donation is gratefully accepted and assists in improving our valued community health service”
Any donation over $2 is tax deductible.