History
The Scanner Appeal
The inaugural meeting of the Derby scanner appeal was held at the Derby Royal Infirmary(DRI) early in 1983, following a preliminary meeting in December 1982. This followed on from the identification of an urgent need for a whole-body CT (computerised tomography) scanner in Derby.
Dr Roger Whitaker (Consultant Radiologist) invited Mr David Thomas (Consultant Surgeon) to chair the meeting. People from throughout the business community in Derbyshire attended. David Thomas informed the meeting a target of £600,000 was needed. He said at the time it was a huge challenge but was achievable!
On 1st October 1983, the Derby Scanner appeal was registered as a charity.
The Scanner appeal set up an office at the DRI, which became the hub of communications. A secretary, Mrs Dyan Holland (Dawes), superintendent radiographer, was appointed to help run and coordinate the collection of funds. Dy is still the secretary of the appeal in 2023, 40 years later – what amazing dedication, thank you Dy!
Mr Harold Bates was appointed Treasurer. He and David Thomas visited all the big companies across Derbyshire with a view to the possibility of a nominal deduction from employee’s salaries to support the appeal. They also visited local Solicitors to raise awareness of gifting from deceased estates.
Fundraising activities included a huge variety of events; collection boxes, leaflet distribution and the sale of mugs and sweaters displaying the Scanner appeal logo. Radio Derby, the Derby Evening Telegraph and Derby County football were all supportive of the campaign. Through amazing fund-raising efforts and the generous support from the local community the funds to purchase the scanner were raised amazingly within 2 years!
In January 1985 work began on the preparation of the Scanner room and the Scanner was purchased in March the same year.
In 1986 a Radiotherapy Planner was also purchased to link to the CT whole-body scanner to allow accurate targeting for any area requiring the delivery of radiotherapy treatment. That same year the Sight Saver appeal commenced, and the appeal was renamed the Derby Scanner and Medical Equipment (SAME). In July 1990 the Breast Test appeal was launched followed in in 1992 by the Bone Scanner appeal.
Funds continue to be generously donated to the appeals and the committee very much appreciates the continued efforts of our community.
This work has made a significant difference to several of our local services and continues to do so.