A number of representatives from local Rotary clubs (including Rotary clubs of Bingley Airedale, Bradford Bronte, Ilkley, Ilkley Wharfedale, Keighley, Skipton, and Skipton Craven) recently received a sneak preview inside the new pacer train at Airedale General Hospital.
The group of Rotary clubs expressed an interest in supporting the project to renovate the retired pacer train carriage. They were hosted on-site by the Airedale Hospital and Community Charity team and members of Airedale NHS Foundation Trust’s Estates team (AGH Solutions) to view the train and discuss potential funding opportunities, given Rotary’s aim is to make a difference in their local community.
Airedale NHS Foundation Trust won the pacer carriage in the ‘Transform a Pacer’ competition run by the Department for Transport in 2019. They submitted a winning bid to save the vehicle from scrap by committing to use the carriage to create a positive environment that could benefit the local community.
Airedale Hospital and Community Charity will give a new lease of life to the carriage, focusing on helping children and families, and those suffering with dementia. It will be a unique space to support patients. It will be a less medical space compared to the rest of the hospital, and will especially help younger patients to have more positive experiences in hospital.
