An urgent appeal for volunteers has been issued after the shutters were bought down on the opening hours at a vital hospital shop.

The League of Friends store at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in King's Lynn, is missing out on thousands of pounds because its doors are forced to shut at 4.30pm in the evenings, instead of 8pm, due to lack of staff.

The 34-strong team of volunteers is looking for just 10 people to man the evening and weekend shifts so they can continue to raise funds for equipment for patients.

Last year, the League of Friends donated around £80,000 to the hospital, which paid for equipment including chest compression devices, patient pagers, recliner chairs, along with a 'blood' motorbike for Service Emergency Rider Volunteers (SERV) charity.

Charity chairman Tom Greenacre, said: 'We are missing out on the chance to raise even more money for equipment which could make a huge difference to patients and staff at the hospital.

'The shop is the main source of income for the charity so it is not ideal to have it closed for four hours during the evening when people are visiting relatives. We are also struggling to man the weekend shifts.'

He asked for those who had retired or those who had a few hours to spare to volunteer at the shop, which has been open since the 1980s. In the past, money from the outlet has gone towards building the Children's Centre and helping to buy hovermatts for the safe lifting of patients, a portable x-ray machine, bladder scanners, 20 cribs for the central delivery suite and monitors for the accident and emergency department - to name just a few.

Another volunteer is also needed to take the electric trolley around the hospital wards to sell magazines, toiletries and sweets.

For more information contact Mr Greenacre on 01553 842258 or email greenacre284@btinternet.com.Or call Carol Crake on 01553 841008 or email carolcrake@sky.com

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