A CHEQUE for £4,311 has been presented to a Musgrove Park Hospital’s ward after the funds were raised in memory of a “beloved” pub landlord.
Angie Merrick and her team raised funds for the Fielding ward in honour of her husband Mike Merrick, who was the landlord of The Merry Monk and The Half Moon Inn.
Mike was known for his warm personality, community spirit, and dedication to charitable causes, particularly in support of the NHS.
Over the past 12 months, his legacy has lived on through continued fundraising efforts spearheaded by his wife and her dedicated team at The Merry Monk.
In the year following Mike's passing, the community has rallied together to honour his memory by raising substantial funds for Fielding Ward at Musgrove Hospital.
In 2020, during part of the COVID-19 lockdown, Mike spent six weeks on the ward while waiting for heart surgery in Bristol.
During this time Angie praised the care he received from everyone on the ward.
The latest donation follows last year's impressive fundraising total of £7,470, raised through a combination of donations from Mike's funeral, a raffle, and a race night.
After the donation, Angie said: “Mike was always a great supporter of the NHS and stood outside the pub on Thursday evenings ringing the pub bell while the neighbours clapped.”
Li Wang, ward sister on Fielding Ward, added: “We’re incredibly grateful to Angie and her family for the amazing fundraising they have achieved, and we want to thank everyone who has donated.
“The money raised is a truly amazing amount, which will make such a difference to patients on the ward.
“It’s a fantastic way of carrying on Mike’s legacy and we’ll be forever thankful to Angie and her family.”
These efforts have been instrumental in providing much-needed equipment and resources for Fielding Ward, enhancing the care provided to patients, and supporting the dedicated staff who work there.
Angie expressed her heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported these initiatives over the past year.
Future events are already being planned, with the aim of raising even more funds for Fielding Ward as Angie and her team at The Merry Monk are determined to keep Mike's legacy alive.
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