There were plenty of smiles and summer sunshine as a popular annual event for the community in Sutton Coldfield again proved a hit and raised vital funds for Good Hope Hospital.

The 2015 Good Hope Hospital Summer Fete was opened by the Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP, the Member of Parliament for Sutton Coldfield, and saw hundreds of locals descend on the hospital site to enjoy a wide array of entertainment and attractions. There was lots of fun to be had for younger visitors with donkey rides, face painting, balloon modelling and dancing from Sutton’s Stagecoach theatre school, as well as live entertainment from Tamworth Community Radio.

Staff from Good Hope’s Maternity, Special Care Baby Unit and High Dependency Unit set up stalls, as did award-winning adventure play company Toddler Sense along with fundraising legend Vera Holley and her merry band of volunteers raising money with a tombola and bric-a-brac stalls. The local farmers’ markets presence with plenty of great produce on offer, as well as local craft sellers also proved a big draw, as did a display of vintage cars.

Dr Arne Rose, associate medical director at Good Hope, said: “It was wonderful to bring the community together, as well as staff, patients and supporters for this memorable day which proved a great success and having the weather do us a favour as well really topped things off.

“The summer fete is an important date in Good Hope’s calendar to raise vital funds and to open the door to the community to have fun and learn more about their local hospital. Thank you to everyone who supported the cause and roll on next year’s event!”

For further information about the Good Hope Hospital Summer Fete 2015 or if you would like to contribute to raising funds for the hospital charity, please contact Samantha Howell on 0121 424 2793 or email: Samantha.howell@heartofengland.nhs.uk