The MRI Scanners Appeal needs the support of everyone in the community and all town organisations are requested to raise cash for this vital life saving equipment. It is hoped Schools will run special events, and local businesses will contribute to the appeal. If a special presentation is required Hospital staff are available to attend events and functions. Every little helps whether a few pounds from a Coffee Morning, Cake Stall or raffle or a full blown £1000 event – it is all most welcome. Publicity for all these events is freely available via Newton News and your local community newspaper encourages everyone to consider doing something to help the appeal.

When in place the scanners provided at Darlington and Bishop Auckland  will be the best in the UK. Invasive diagnosis for conditions like bowel cancer and prostate cancer is no longer required when using these modern scanners. Supporting the purchase of our own scanners at Darlington and Bishop Auckland will save £1 million a year so this appeal is a nobrainer. The equipment manufactured by Philips will be the first in the UK and they are eager to showcase the superiority of their scanners – so much so they are being very cooperative and allowing payment to be extended. The first scanner will be installed in Bishop Auckland Hospital very soon.

Photo: Newton Aycliffe Social Art Group who meet at the PCP Centre each Monday from 10am-12noon supported a Cake Stall run by Sheila Taylor and raised £100. The Colour my Life Members Art Group meet every Monday morning (10 – 12) at the PCP Centre. They are a busy group who enjoy following their own art interests or take up art/crafting ideas suggested by the volunteers who work alongside them. New members are always welcome. They have been a ready market for Sheila Taylor’s fund raising which started last year, by selling cakes and slices of cake as an alternative to seeking sponsorship for various charities including Macmillan, Cancer Research, Children in Need. Sheila told Newton News: “Last year this group of friends helped me raise £339 and to date this year we have raised £87. This has meant we have been able to make a donation of £100 to the MRI Appeal which we consider to be an important cause for our local area”