Goodyear staff’s £307k gift of life to New Cross Hospital
Vital medical equipment worth more than £300,000 has been donated to New Cross Hospital by former Goodyear workers.
The gift includes eight cutting-edge anesthetic machines and a potentially life-saving paediatric glidescope, which aids doctors in viewing and clearing the airways of young patients.
Hospital staff have also been given a lipo aire liposculpture machine, which will further improve results for cancer patients who undergo breast conserving surgery.
The money, which has come from the Goodyear workers’ 5/344 Transport and General Workers Union Benevolent Fund, has also helped staff to complete the hospital’s new reminiscence room.
Decorated in a 1960s style, it aims to help dementia patients recall memories from their past and has been funded thanks to the help of community groups.
In total, the Goodyear donation comes to £307,872.62 and a celebration event took place at the hospital yesterday.
Among those who attended was benevolent fund chairman, Cyril Barrett, who worked at Goodyear for almost 40 years, and former shop stewards Mac Purshouse and Roy Jones, who spent 38 years and 32 years respectively at the tyre plant.
Mr Barrett said the fund trustees and committee members wanted to thank staff for the care given to workers over the years.
“When Goodyear announced in 2015 it was closing, to most people it was the closure of a factory but from our point of view it was the closure of a massive big family.
“The members want to create a living legacy to the workforce in Wolverhampton and the Black Country by helping those facing difficulties and challenging times.
“New Cross Hospital has supported Goodyear workers and their families.
“Most of the jobs were hard, physical jobs so members of our workforce would end up in hospital when there had been accidents in the workplace. So we feel very privileged to be able to help the hospital in this way and I hope that our other colleagues feel as proud as we do,” he added.
Mr Purshouse, who worked in the passenger division at Goodyear, added: “Goodyear was a big employer in Wolverhampton. When I first started there was more than 7,000 people.
“What we are doing at the hospital is a legacy to the workforce. I’ve had the misfortune of needing the services of the hospital and I’m very fortunate to be here today.
“I feel very proud to be able to give staff this important equipment.”
Jeremy Vanes, chairman of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, told the former Goodyear workers that their donation would have a lasting impact.
“I would like to say thank you for all of the work you have done in the community – we’ll never forget it. This equipment will go on to do great things for the people of Wolverhampton,” he added.
The Goodyear workers’ fund was built up over more than 30 years from sickness and distress pay.
The hospital project is one of almost 40 that have so far been supported across the Black Country, including a donation of £1.5 million towards a revamp of Compton Hospice.
