NEW medical equipment has been handed over to Lowestoft Hospital by hard-working fund-raisers from its Friends group.Nursing staff were on hand to receive an electro cardiograph machine, pressure pads and a sewing machine for the occupational therapy department - which come on top equipment worth �30,000 already donated by the Friends this year.

NEW medical equipment has been handed over to Lowestoft Hospital by hard-working fund-raisers from its Friends group.

Nursing staff were on hand to receive an electro cardiograph machine, pressure pads and a sewing machine for the occupational therapy department - which come on top equipment worth �30,000 already donated by the Friends this year.

The items were presented at the Friends' AGM on Sunday and chairman Pat Rayner said they were 'delighted' to hand over the equipment. The meeting, attended by the Friends trustees and representatives of the groups who raise funds for the hospital, unanimously re-elected Mrs Rayner as chairman for the coming year, with Jill Eaton as secretary and David Hatton as treasurer.

A quiet moment of reflection was held to mark the recent deaths of former president Gwen Baker and committee member Billy Hansford. Ms Baker had worked selflessly for the hospital since 1949 and for the carnival since 1968. Mr Hansford had been a regular carnival supporter and had taken part in the carnival parade for many years. Both will be greatly missed.

Praise was then given to the professional nursing staff and to the hard-working volunteers who run the twice weekly hospital trolley service. They now have a brand new trolley on which to better display their sweets and toiletries.

Plans for the carnival weekend were also announced. The programme will include a fun day on Saturday, August 7 on Royal Green featuring children's sports, a mascot race, and dog agility displays together with music headlined by the ever popular Ambassadors of Borrowash Carnival Band. The climax will be the grand procession, starting at 3pm on Sunday, August 8.

This year's procession will have 'Stage and Screen' as its optional theme. More than 80 entry forms have already been sent out to regular entrants and further information can be found by visiting www.onesuffolk.co.uk/LowestoftCarnival

More people are still needed to help at events and particularly to help as stewards for the parade.

For more information or to offer help, contact Pat Rayner on 01502 563847.