The League of Friends at Buckland Hospital is appealing for cash donations to help them transfer its convenience store from Buckland to the new Dover Hospital.

The Friends’ band of volunteers have managed the small shop at Buckland in Coombe Valley Road for 25 years and they have been offered a space at the new hospital, next door.

With just a few weeks to completion the clock is ticking and the shop will need fitting out.

Treasurer Phillip Farr said: “In addition to our existing range of goods, we will have fresh sandwiches daily and also a cabinet dispensing hot food snacks, available when the shop is closed.”

It is believed the store will be busier due to the possible increase of GP appointments and extended care services funded by the Prime Minister’s Challenge Fund.

Mr Farr said: “We have launched an appeal for donations towards fitting it out because many patients attending the new hospital will have multiple appointments on the same day and they may well be at the hospital for hours. Our shop will be even more necessary.”

The League of Friends has donated thousands for Buckland over its years in Dover.

One example included raising funds to provide televisions in the renal dialysis unit.

“These are not something we could expect the NHS to provide – but what a difference they make for the patients,” he added.

Donations can be handed into the Buckland shop, open Monday to Friday between 9am to 5pm or send them to League of Friends Dover Hospital, Buckland Hospital, Coombe Valley Road, Dover, CT17 0HD.

For details on becoming a volunteer call 01304 822201 or 01304 821099.