FRIENDS of Airedale marked 55 years of service to the hospital with an afternoon of 'Opera for the People'.

Combining anniversary celebrations with its annual general meeting, a full house of volunteers enjoyed a selection of classical opera and popular songs by pop-opera soprano Nicola Mills. The Yorkshire based singer is known for bringing popular opera and crossover music to audience through her down to earth shows.

The special event marked 55 years since the opening of the first Friends of Airedale shop in the hospital’s main entrance.

Group chair, Alison Dixon said: “More than half a century of service to the hospital is something worth celebrating. It’s hard to put a figure on the amount volunteers have raised during that time but it runs into millions. In the past 10 years alone, we have raised over £2 million.”

The AGM – held at Glusburn Institute Community and Arts Centre – heard that revenue from the group’s two shops had increased significantly in 2024, up from £474,435 in 2023 to £568,428.

The money goes towards buying vital equipment and services for the hospital, over and above that which the NHS will fund, with the aim of supporting patient care and improving the hospital experience for patients and their visitors.

As well as running the hospital’s main entrance and outpatients’ shops and cafes, volunteers also operate a ward trolley service, the assistance of hospital guides, the dignity room clothing service and, in the summer, monthly car boot sales.

As deputy chief nurse at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, Sajan Sathyan, pointed out during his official vote of thanks to volunteers: “Every day when I come in to work at the hospital, the first thing I see are the Friends of Airedale volunteers in the shops. It’s the same for visitors – a great contribution and one which is much valued.”

Long service awards were also presented at the AGM which heard that a total of 40 volunteers had, between them, clocked up some 450 years of service.

Alison Dixon said it was a “phenomenal achievement” and a clear demonstration of the time and commitment shown by the hospital volunteers.

Certificates marking their milestones of service went to:- 30 years: Michael Cluett, Kath Egan, David Petyt. 25 years: Carole Smithies, Mary Wade. 20 years: Jenny Crompton, Carol Hughes, Sadie Moffat, Julie Newbold, Christine Roberts, Allan Robinson. 15 years: Derek Chapman. 10 years: Paul Bryden, Nicola Feather, Elizabeth Garland, Rita Halstead, Omar Khan, Diane Webb, Pauline Wright. Five years: Amy Ali, Jennifer Biagioni, Sue Chester, Marjorie Cox, Anne Falshaw, Mairi Foye, Brenda Frankland, Denise Haley, Val Hargreaves, Maurice Hatton, Freda Heaton, Stella Heffernan, Anne Higginson, Pat Jones, Susan Mallinson, Clare McDowell, Roy Murrell, David Pearson, Julia Shearer, Valerie Todd, John Woodhouse Friends of Airedale is a group of volunteers dedicated to supporting Airedale General Hospital by undertaking a number of roles within the hospital and in the community. It also raises money to buy equipment to benefit patients and visitors.