A CASINO and karaoke night in Shanklin Old Village raised around £2,000 toward the cost of a vital piece of equipment at St Mary’s Hospital.
Maria Cole, who runs the Sail ‘n’ Surf Cafe on Shanklin Esplanade, wants to buy a pupillometer for the hospital.
This is in memory of her late husband, Neil – a longshoreman at Shanklin for most of his life – who died suddenly last year following a stroke.
A pupillometer, which costs more than £5,000, can give doctors an early warning about insufficient blood flow to a patient's brain, as well as brain swelling and other severe issues which can develop in the days after a stroke.
A raffle, auction, and other fundraising games were also held on the night, at King Harry’s Bar, with many Shanklin businesses donating prizes.
Among those to contribute were The Steamer Inn, The Waterfront Inn, The Pink Beach Guest House, The Village Inn, Beach Cafe 34, and Tracey Rolfe of Life’s a Beach.
Tracey, her husband Simon, son Sam, and close friend Kirsty Jenner, organised the event, with the help of Maria, Neil’s sister Sarah, and Steve Murphey, Shanklin’s uncrowned karaoke king.
Guests paid £5 to sing a karaoke song and were also invited to pay £5 to stop Steve singing.
“I would like to thank everyone who helped make it such a successful event, and the people who already made a donation,” said Maria.
“This has given the funds a huge boost toward the cost of the pupillometer, and I am hoping we will reach our target soon.”
Donations can still be made at the Sail ‘n’ Surf Cafe, and at Cole’s Bazaar and Snackery on Shanklin Esplanade.
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