Campaigner urges Teesdale to do its bit for vital MRI scanners

A STARTFORTH man is hoping Teesdale will do its bit in the campaign to raise £2.5million to buy two vital MRI scanners for local hospitals.

The equipment is needed by Darlington and Bishop Auckland hospitals – and Teesdale’s share of the funds required comes to £120,703.

Barry Proctor is launching a local campaign to rally residents in Teesdale. He is approaching local groups, councils and organisations in an appeal for help in raising the sum. He says if homes donated by direct debit £5 a month from September 2017 to the end of December 2018, the target would be raised.

That totals £80 a household, but if that money was covered by Gift Aid the total increases to £100 – and only 25 per cent of homes would be needed to sign up, he says.

He said a straw poll in his street showed a 100 per cent commitment from people. MRI scanners are used to look for cancers, joint problems and neurological conditions.

Mr Proctor said: “The MRI scanners at the two hospitals are 18 years old and need to be replaced within the next 18 months. The existing ones are technically outdated. If compared with a mobile phone, there are like a phone that’s 20 years old.

“There is a definite willingness from people to donate. All sorts of societies – parish councils, Lions, Rotary Clubs, Freemasons, WIs and whoever else – ­could canvass every home in the region.”

The new MRI scanners are state of the art, give more patient comfort and are more powerful. The total cost is £4million and the government has pledged £1.5million. The remaining £2.5million needs to be raised locally.

“This is obviously an enormous undertaking,” said Mr Proctor, who is working with the hospital trusts to help.

The region covered by the two hospitals takes in Weardale, Bishop Auckland, Teesdale, Darlington, Richmond, Swaledale and Northallerton. Mr Proctor said that’s about 100,000 homes.

He has worked out that Darlington and district needs to raise £961,267; Bishop Auckland and Weardale £395,434; Richmondshire £379,559; Northallerton and district £636,123; and Barnard Castle and Teesdale £120,703.

Mr Proctor has also made a breakdown of what Teesdale needs to do by population, village by village. For example, Barnard Castle’s total is £39,234 while Winston’s is £3,777. It is hoped league tables of the most generous village, per head of population, will be drawn up and published to help spur people on.

To help, contact Barry Proctor on 01833 637679.