Campaign to 'Save Goole Hospital' gathering pace

SAVE Goole Hospital Action Group (SGHAG) held a peaceful protest that saw residents of the town joined by supporters from as far afield as Hull, Doncaster, Leeds and Huddersfield.

- By DEBORAH HALL [e-mail] @DeborahHall15

The event, held in Goole Precinct on Sunday, April 13, was the latest step in highlighting concerns around the downgrading of services at Goole and District Hospital, with fears raised earlier this year.

Recently, video messages of backing for the campaign have come from stars of sport of music, in the hope of adding weight to the appeal to keep the hospital running.

The protest at the weekend included speakers, a call for volunteers for the campaign, music and a community singalong, along with a bedpush.

Tony Williams, communications director for SGHAG, said: "The weather was kind and the people who turned out were even kinder, encouraging the speakers with applause and cheering."

Michaela Kenning, chairperson of SGHAG, was first to speak, the back of a flatbed truck serving as a stage. Hers was a "heart-warming, passionate speech" and she was followed by Cllr Anne Handley, leader of East Riding Council, and Julie Challenger, the action group's "clinical expert", Tony said, to deliver the ins and outs of where the group was at with the campaign.