About The Friends of Kirkcaldy Hospitals
About Us
We provide funds for comforts, amenities and other reasonable requests for the benefit of patients and staff of the two hospitals we represent & receive monetary gifts including donations, legacies and endowments for the advancement of the work of the committee.
The Friends’ Mission Statement, 2018
Victoria Hospital
Whytemans Brae Hospital
What We Do
The Friends Work For Victoria Hospital and Whytemans Brae Hospital
Supporting Kirkcaldy Hospitals
The Friends provide funds for comforts, amenities, facilities and equipment for patients and staff of Victoria Hospital and Whytemans Brae Hospital.
We make financial support available through our grant application schemes.
Applications are considered four times per year at our quarterly committee meetings.
Since 1969, The Friends have provided funding to finance medical equipment and improve facilities for patients and staff at Kirkcaldy hospitals. Our support has assisted:
- The Children’s Ward
- The Diabetes Centre
- Medical Photography
- Music Therapy
- Paediatric Department
- Pharmacy
- Radiology
- Seaview Ward
- The Sanctuary
- Victoria Radio Network.
We can help with all kinds of projects so if you have ideas that require funding, don’t hesitate to apply.
Fundraising for Kirkcaldy Hospitals
Fundraising is one of The Friends’ activities and our effectiveness depends on the continual generosity of the people of Kirkcaldy and of Fife.
In the past, the annual Friends’ Garden Fete was the main focus of fundraising activity.
Often opened by celebrities of the day, (such as Johnny Beattie, Ronnie Corbett, Jane Franchi, Rikki Fulton, Russell Hunter, Jimmy Shand, Molly Weir), the garden fetes raised over £150,000.
The potential of The Friends to support Kirkcaldy Hospitals has often benefitted from significant individual legacies and bequests.
A generous legacy bequeathed to The Friends by the late Mrs Helen Allan Weir has formed the basis of our ability to finance many projects.
We are always interested in fund-raising ideas and if you would like to make a donation or a bequest, we would be delighted to hear from you!
A Brief History of The Friends
at Victoria Hospital and Whytemans Brae Hospital
Ronnie Corbett at The Friends’ Fete
1969
Our original name was
The Friends of Victoria, Forth Park and Whytemans Brae Hospitals
Our logo designed by Jeff Fallow
2024
Today
we are known as
The Friends of Kirkcaldy Hospitals
Johnny Beattie at The Friends’ Fete
2012
We became
The Friends of Victoria
and Whytemans Brae Hospitals
Who We Are
The Friends of Kirkcaldy Hospitals Committee
Committee Office Bearers
Heather Ogg, RGN, Chair
Heather, Clinical Nurse Specialist (Dermatology) (retired) has been a member of The Friends for 37 years and succeeded Eleanor Young as Chair in 2024.
Christine Birrell, RN, RMN, RM, BA, MSc, Vice Chair
Christine, Midwife (retired), now works in the third sector supporting bereaved parents and women who experience mental health issues during pregnancy and in the post-natal period.
Annette Lobo, MSC, BSc, RGN, RM, Secretary
Annette, Consultant Midwife (retired), has been a member of The Friends for 22 years and its Secretary since 2023.
William Main,Treasurer
William has been a member of The Friends for 22 years and its Treasurer since 2023.
Committee Members
Winnie Beamer, RGN, Reg. Clinical Teacher, Nurse Teacher, Hons Health Studies, Fellow of Education Board
Winnie is a retired Nursing Lecturer, University of Dundee.
Ian Campbell
Ian is an NHS Fife Chaplain
Bronwen MacSween, BSc (Hons), RGN, RT, RCT
Bronwen MacSween BSc (Hons), RGN, RT, RCT
Iris McNab, former long term Secretary to The Friends
Iris McNab, former long term Secretary to The Friends
Gail Mitchell, BSe, RGN,
Gail, Senior Charge Nurse (Dermatology) (retired), has been a member of The Friends for 16 years.
Susan Shearer, BSe, RGN
Susan is an NHS Fife practitioner and has been a member of The Friends for 16 years.
We Can Help!
We can help with all kinds of projects so if you have ideas that require funding, don’t hesitate to apply.
Recent News
Recent Friends’ projects and developments