Andover’s businesses have been criticised by the local NHS Trust
A news article from Thursday 9th April 2009
Andover’s businesses have been criticised by the local NHS Trust for not supporting a vital service.
The town’s popular hospital bus is struggling for funding and needs sponsorship to keep going.
It’s been running for a year and takes people from the War Memorial Hospital to the Royal Hampshire County in Winchester for free.
It costs £60,000 a year to run and local companies have been asked to help out but a spokesperson from the local NHS Trust says they’ve been disappointed by the response.
My public response to this criticism is as follows:
“I believe the local NHS Trust is wrong to criticise local businesses. Business owners are finding running their own businesses tough enough during this economic downturn and have to analyse all spend, this includes marketing and sponsorship.
Whilst it is openly agreed that community involvement is important to local businesses, there simply isn’t the spare “cash” to donate anymore, and business owners are having to re-invest into their own businesses to preserve local jobs – which I’m sure many will agree is very important with both local and national unemployment figures rising.
Sponsorship and support comes in many different forms, and doesn’t necessarily have to come in the form of a “cash” donation, plenty of businesses will, where they can, give support “in-kind” via giving their time and /or resources free of charge where they can.”
A full listing of replies can be seen at Andover Sounds 106.4 FM Talking Point Website