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| Ludlow Hospital refuses 'demeaning' fancy dress donation | Ludlow Hospital refuses 'demeaning' fancy dress donation |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A hospital has turned down a £2,500 donation from a group of men dressed up as nurses after bosses said the outfits were "demeaning". | A hospital has turned down a £2,500 donation from a group of men dressed up as nurses after bosses said the outfits were "demeaning". |
| The group, which was supporting Ludlow Hospital in Shropshire, raised the money by pushing a bed around the town. | The group, which was supporting Ludlow Hospital in Shropshire, raised the money by pushing a bed around the town. |
| Jan Ditheridge, chief executive of Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust, said the behaviour was "insulting". | Jan Ditheridge, chief executive of Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust, said the behaviour was "insulting". |
| The hospital's friends group said it was a "sad day for public support for our health services". | |
| See more stories from across Shropshire here | See more stories from across Shropshire here |
| A letter to Peter Corfield, chair of Ludlow Hospital League of Friends, from Ms Ditheridge and chair of the trust Mike Ridley, said: "The presentation of men dressed as female nurses in a highly-sexualised and demeaning way is wrong, very outdated and insulting to the profession." | A letter to Peter Corfield, chair of Ludlow Hospital League of Friends, from Ms Ditheridge and chair of the trust Mike Ridley, said: "The presentation of men dressed as female nurses in a highly-sexualised and demeaning way is wrong, very outdated and insulting to the profession." |
| Mr Corfield said the bed-push fundraiser had taken place every summer for decades involving men from the local community and was "light-hearted". | Mr Corfield said the bed-push fundraiser had taken place every summer for decades involving men from the local community and was "light-hearted". |
| He said proceeds from this year's event had been earmarked to provide ECG machines for the outpatients and minor injuries departments at Ludlow. | He said proceeds from this year's event had been earmarked to provide ECG machines for the outpatients and minor injuries departments at Ludlow. |
| "We have therefore now had to withdraw the funding for those items," he added. | "We have therefore now had to withdraw the funding for those items," he added. |
| Alison Hiles, whose husband took part in the event, said: "Nobody's complained, everybody seems to enter into the spirit of it, locals know that it's going on, those that aren't local really enjoy the event and always have a chat with the lads and willingly give money, nobody forces them. | Alison Hiles, whose husband took part in the event, said: "Nobody's complained, everybody seems to enter into the spirit of it, locals know that it's going on, those that aren't local really enjoy the event and always have a chat with the lads and willingly give money, nobody forces them. |
| "I really don't know why all of a sudden that it's a problem." | "I really don't know why all of a sudden that it's a problem." |
| Ms Ditheridge said: "We have previously asked that this doesn't happen and therefore don't think it's right to accept any money associated with this activity." | Ms Ditheridge said: "We have previously asked that this doesn't happen and therefore don't think it's right to accept any money associated with this activity." |
| Many people, including nurses, have taken to social media to voice their support for the fundraisers. | |
| Tracy Morgan Jones wrote on Facebook: "It's money raised in a fun way in a costume meant to draw attention to the worthy cause not insult the hard-working doctors and nurses." | |
| Gemma Davies said: "I'm a nurse and am not at all insulted. How stupid!", while Hannah Holt added: "Refusing the money is an insult to the profession. I love being a nurse and I love people dressing up as nurses.... it's a sign of admiration." | |
| Others suggested the money would be welcome elsewhere, including Ann Lanham who said: "I'm sure there are plenty of other good causes in the area who will be willing to accept the money." |