Leagues of friends

There are separate leagues of friends or 'Friends' in east Kent which support Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells hospitals. 

Each league of friends is a voluntary organisation and registered charity which supports the work of our hospitals by providing much-needed extra equipment and resources for patients and staff.

They use the proceeds from fundraising to fund a range of projects. This has included reclining chairs for our Radiotherapy department, a new playroom for patients and siblings of paediatric patients, and public-access emergency defibrillators.

Volunteers run a variety of events, from annual fêtes, concerts and quiz nights to shops for patients, visitors and staff.

If you can spare a couple of hours each week, make a donation, become a member or are interested in supporting an event, contact the appropriate League of Friends:

Maidstone Hospital League of Friends

Maidstone Hospital League of Friends aims to provide a link between the Hospital and the community it serves, and supports Maidstone Hospital in any way possible.

The Maidstone Hospital League of Friends has had much success in fundraising and donating throughout recent years, with hundreds of thousands of pounds given to fund equipment and research, making a difference to patients and staff.

Over the last 10 years the League of Friends has funded equipment in excess of £2,078,000.

The League of Friends' main source of income is the hospital shop, in the main entrance, and offers an extensive range of toiletries, sleepwear, stationery and greeting cards, confectionery, sandwiches, fruit, soft drinks and ice cream, newspapers and magazines and much more. The ward trolleys and clinic trolley provide a service for patients and visitors Monday – Friday and there is a smaller LoF shop in the Eye Clinic open 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.

The bookshop, in the main foyer at Maidstone Hospital, is also a valuable source of income and is popular with patients, staff and visitors. Generous legacies and other small donations are received too.

General fundraising is part of the League's activities, including the Summer Fete and prize draw, a quiz night twice a year, coffee mornings, cake sales and a Christmas bazaar. The success of all these activities depends entirely on voluntary helpers and the support of the general public.

You can help the League of Friends by becoming a member or becoming a volunteer.

Donating to the League of Friends

You can donate by cheque, made payable to Maidstone Hospital League of Friends or hand cash donations in at the LoF shop or at any fundraising event. If you wish to send your donation by post, send to The Chairman, League of Friends at Maidstone Hospital, Hermitage Lane, Barming, ME16 9QQ.

You can also donate via League of Friends website and JustGiving.

Key contacts

Maidstone Hospital League of Friends acts in accordance with the Data Protection Act and will not pass on any details to any other organisation.

Tunbridge Wells Hospital League of Friends

Tunbridge Wells Hospital League of Friends was formed in 2012 following the merger of the Pembury Hospital League of Friends and the League of Friends of Kent and Sussex Hospital, on the opening of the present hospital.

All the members of the Council give their time voluntarily and over the years have raised millions of pounds for the benefit of patients and staff, thanks to the generosity of members of the public and local businesses.

The leagues of friends in both hospitals contributed to the installation of free Wi-Fi to enable patients to use their devices to stay in touch with their friends and family more easily 

Lady Mills is our President and the council, which is chaired by Gary Purdy, is enthusiastic and committed.

They are always looking for new volunteers and if you would like to find out more,  visit www.friendsoftwhospital.org

Donating to the League of Friends

One of the easiest ways to support us is by making a donation. This might be a regular payment or a single gift, or via Just Giving.

Alternatively you can send a cheque to The League of Friends of Tunbridge Wells Hospital, c/o Tunbridge Wells Hospital, Tonbridge Road, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells Kent TN2 4QJ. Or make a direct payment to sort code: 40-52-40, account number: 00010942.

You can also remember the league of friends in your will. For more details, email email@friendsoftwhospital.org

You can also raise funds for the League of Friends when you shop on line at no cost to you at easyfundraising.org.uk.

When you make a purchase with one of the 2700-plus participating retailers, that retailer will make a donation to the League of Friends of Tunbridge Wells Hospital.