JOSIE and her son, Ed O’Driscoll, from Ross-on-Wye have raised £1, 795, which they have donated to the Friends of Ross Community Hospital charity. The O’Driscolls presented the Friends with their cheques on Tuesday, May 11th. The money was raised in memory of husband and father, Brendan O’Driscoll, who passed away in January 2016.

The donation will be used to purchase an Electrocardiography (ECG) machine for Ross Community Hospital. ECG machines check the electrical activity and rhythm of the heart.

Money was raised at Brendan’s funeral, when instead of bringing flowers, friends and family were asked to bring donations for the Friends of the Hospital, this raised £495.

The O’Driscoll family also raised money for the Hospital at the most recent Ross Choristers’ concert. Brendan was a founding member of the local, popular choir. The concert took place the day before Brendan’s birthday, in memory of him. Josie explained to the Ross Gazette: “The concert was just perfect, Dad loved music, and it was the perfect offering.”

The concert raised a further £400. More money was also raised on Saturday, April 23rd at the Ross Gig Club event, which Ed runs. This event raised the fantastic sum of £900.

The donation from the O’Driscoll family was given to the charity because Ross Community Hospital really looked after Brendan in the final few weeks of his life and everyone there was, as Ed puts, “simply wonderful”.

Ed explained to the Ross Gazette, “The Community Hospital was great over Christmas; they gave him proper care, and he was able to come home for Christmas and spend time with his grandchildren. This would not have been possible if he’d had to go to a hospital further away.”

The money raised is exactly the amount needed to purchase an ECG for Ross Community Hospital. Jill Davies, the Chairman of the Friends, told the Ross Gazette that she and rest of the committee members, “are thrilled by the money raised by the O’Driscoll family.” Jill explained that, “their donation will probably save lives.” The Friends have already placed the order for the new machine.

The O’Driscolls are very grateful to everyone who helped and raised money. Ed added:?“The community has helped their Community Hospital.”