A rock concert in Marlborough town hall will raise money to cover the costs of a legal challenge to closures at Savernake Hospital.
Blues for Savernake on Friday September 25 will feature local bands the Kevin Brown Quartet and the Bob Bowles Band. The show is being organised under the banner of the Friends of Savernake Hospital.
The challenge to Wiltshire PCT’s decision to close the minor injuries unit and day hospital at Savernake Hospital was unsuccessful and it has left campaigner Val Compton with a bill for £10,000 of the PCT’s legal costs. Mrs Compton’s legal representatives gave their services for nothing through the Bar Pro Bono Unit.
Town councillor Richard Pitts is organising the event and hopes that hospital supporters will fill the town hall on Friday September 25 for the gig.
He said: “In organising this concert I would now like to do two things. Firstly, help to pay the £10,000 costs that Val has to find.
“Hopefully, this will be funded by those who have pledged money. So, secondly, like Val, I would like to make some tangible recognition and an expression of gratitude for the huge and impressive amount of work that the lawyers have done for us all over the last two years.
“So all profits from this concert will, in the event of the £10,000 costs being met from the pledges, go to the Bar Pro Bono Unit.”
Mrs Compton said: “I feel confident that people in this area will continue to be brilliant and support this concert.”
She said that she had received 145 cheques from people who had pledged support for her case but couldn’t announce the exact amount on the advice of her legal representatives.
Bob Bowles, the Swindon musician who will be playing with his trio at the gig in the town hall, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be able to support this cause. I think Val has done a fantastic job and she deserves everyone’s support.”
Cheques can still be sent care of FOSHC treasurer, Kate Way at Field Cottage, Bottlesford, Pewsey, Wilts, SN10 6LU or dropped into collecting boxes at estate agents Henry George in Kingsbury Street, Marlborough, Kennet Pharmacy in George Lane or Burbage post office.
Tickets are on sale at Sound Knowledge in Marlborough, from Marlborough town council offices or from Rich Pitts on (01672) 516978.
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