THERE is a little extra Christmas cheer at the hospital this month, thanks to the Pink Ladies' generous annual donation.

The Hospital Auxiliary Board (HAB) ¿ a charity responsible for raising funds and conducting volunteer work for the hospital ¿ this year gave a total of just over $500,000 towards new supplies for the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute.

"The hospitals are grateful for HAB's continued financial support," said the deputy CEO of the Bermuda Hospital Board, Venetta Symonds.

"In addition to raising funds for us each year, their members volunteer daily at both hospitals, working on the wards, at the front desk and in many other areas. Staff, patients and members of the community truly appreciate the important contribution HAB members make to quality patient care."

The Pink Ladies' donations have this year funded ten new dialysis machines, trauma stretchers for the Emergency Department, a new microscope for the Intensive Care Unit and several other welcome additions to the ageing hospital.

"Our volunteers are extremely committed to supporting the hospitals," said Josephine Wright, president of the HAB. "Thanks to their dedication and hard work, we are able to fund the purchase of equipment for both hospitals."

HAB ¿ in addition to operating the Pink Café in the hospital's lobby ¿ also runs the Gift Shop and the Barn.

Said Heidi Augustinovic, the charity's treasurer: "The hospital also receives a lot of time from our volunteers which translates in to financial savings. For example, our volunteers man the front desk every day.

"We normally ask the hospital for a wish list every year, then we go through it and determine what we would like to donate and what we can afford."

There are some 300 active volunteers who donate about 40,000 hours each year working at both hospitals. Volunteers are always in demand and those interested can contact 236-2488 for more information.