Donation from local charity enables Da Vinci Robot Appeal to end

Last updated 24-Jan-12 17:14

Barnet and Chase Farm Hospital’s da Vinci Robot Appeal is set to close thanks to a very generous donation of £100,000 from the Milly Apthorp Trust. 

The appeal, launched in March 2010, passed the £350,000 mark over the Christmas period. Encouraged by the success of our surgeons, the money raised and with the current economic climate affecting charitable donations across the country, the Trust has decided to pay off the remainder of the Robot’s costs using money from  the capital fund.  This ensures that its surgical benefits over traditional open surgery – included reduced pain, scarring, and blood loss – will continue to be felt by local patients. 

The Robot was initially purchased through a lease agreement and was used to treat over 120 patients in its first 18 months alone. These have included patients diagnosed with prostate, bladder or kidney cancers, and now hysterectomies as well. Its versatility allows it to be used on both male and female patients for a range of cancerous and non-cancerous procedures. 

This means that the last fundraising activity to contribute to the total was a Mount Everest climb by ex-patient Bob Bhania. Bob battled 100mph winds and -50 degree temperatures, but still reached the summit by Christmas Day. 

Baroness Margaret Wall of New Barnet said: “The generosity of the local community who have been inspired to raise over a quarter of a million pounds since March 2010 has been extremely touching. The Appeal has benefitted from individual donations, organisational donations, sporting activities and staff events such as discos and quiz nights. I’d like to thank everyone who contributed, including those whose donations have yet to be added to the total. They’ve played a big part in the excellent work our surgeons have been able to do, and will continue to do in the future.”