Simon and Garfunkel tribute act help Rotarians support RD&E’s children’s ward

The Rotary Club of Exeter has teamed up with an international Simon and Garfunkel tribute act to donate much-needed funds to the RD&E’s children’s ward.

The club have donated £2700 to Bramble ward after Dan Haynes and Pete Richards, known as Bookends, pledged the proceeds of a concert they gave in June at the Manor Pavilion Theatre in Sidmouth.

The donation has helped Bramble to buy extra pieces of essential equipment, including a set of multi-functional scales for babies and children and new otoscopes and opthalmascopes for examining children’s ears, noses and throats. Part of the money will also be put towards new flooring in Bramble’s school room.

Karen Medcalf, Senior Paediatric Nurse, said the donation makes a ‘huge difference’, adding: “As equipment gets older and moves on we need to update it so we can give the best possible care to the children. To have this and other donations like it is wonderful; the children would thank them if they could. It makes real difference to the standard of care we can provide.”

Rotary Past President Mike Parkhouse said:  “We have followed Bookends’ remarkable progress and success and extend our sincere thanks to Dan and Pete for their hard work and very generous support. We are delighted that, with their help, we have been able to assist Bramble Ward with their outstanding care for children.”