Flash your cash for super-unit

PICTURE of hope... Joe Witney with his design for a logo

A PLEA to flash the cash to help revolutionise children’s services in Oldham has been sent out by a Shaw youngster undergoing treatment.

Joe Witney whiled away some of his time on the children’s ward at the Royal Oldham Hospital by entering a competition to name an appeal for a new super unit.

Work has already begun on the £44 million Women and Children’s super centre, and hospital bosses are poised to launch a £200,000 appeal next month to support it.

Eleven-year-old Joe will submit his entry to name the appeal and give it a logo by Monday’s deadline.

Part of his design carries the slogan: “Cool kids get better with the NHS,” and “Please flash the cash so we can make a new ward for sick children.”

Karen Huskinson, the hospital’s child play specialist, said: “Children on the ward are really enjoying taking part in designing a logo for the new women and children’s appeal. They are especially excited in case their name is picked out as the winner to receive the prize to see Latics play and meet the team.

“It’s great that the children are involved in the appeal and it helps keep them entertained on the ward. Even the staff are trying to think of a name for the appeal.”

Funds raised will buy medical equipment and help furnish the new facility for children and parents.

The winning name and logo will appear on all appeal literature and publicity material.

Jan Bolton, fund-raising manager at The Pennine Acute Trust’s Charity, said: “It’s important that we have an eye-catching logo and name for the appeal so that the public can recognise where their donated money is going.”

Entries for a name, a logo, or both, must be submitted by Monday. Artwork should be original and posted to Jan Bolton, fund-raising manager at the Royal Oldham Hospital, Rochdale Road, Oldham, OL1 2HJ, or emailed to charity@pat.nhs.uk