A NEW charity has been launched to raise funds for the NHS in Somerset.

People from across the county attended an event at South Petherton Hospital on Monday (June 19).

Guests met representatives from the new charity, enjoyed refreshments and heard a speech by Colin Drummond, chairman of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.

Mr Drummond said: "Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is already supported by Love Musgrove and Yeovil Hospital Charity and these charities will continue to provide much valued assistance to the trust’s district hospitals in Taunton and Yeovil.

"However our newly merged trust is delivering care across a huge geography and in a very wide range of settings.

"Where appropriate, we want to provide more services in, or closer to, our patients’ homes.

"We also know there are a lot of people out there who want to support our work in the community and our mental health services.

"There are also organisations who want to support our work on a more strategic level, right across our catchment area.

"Somerset NHS Charity will allow people to do just that."

The charity can provide additional funding that allows the NHS in Somerset to go beyond its statutory duties and "do something exceptional".

Examples of projects at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton and Yeovil Hospital include dementia gardens, extra equipment, art, music workshops for patients, play equipment for children, additional support for cancer patients and much more.

James Kirton, head of Somerset NHS Charity said: “Our ambition for Somerset NHS Charity is to start making amazing things happen right across our services, rather than only in the two district hospitals.

"This charity will allow us to do more, and to make a difference for patients right across the region, from Minehead in the west to Milborne Port in the east.

"Whether it is mental health, midwifery, cancer support or cardiac equipment, Somerset NHS Charity will be here to enhance our NHS wherever it is delivering care and supporting patients.”