In July, local farmer and businessman, Philip Trim generously donated £7,500 to University Hospitals Dorset’s Radiotherapy Department in memory of his late wife, Jane.
Philip, a well-known figure in the community and owner of Philip Trim Contractor, made this heartfelt donation in recognition of the exceptional care Jane received after she was diagnosed with cancer.
Philip raised £7,500 in August 2023 from Throop Hollow Farm, which he opened as a pop-up campsite during the summer.
Philip offers a tractor and trailer ride around the grounds for campers, giving them a glimpse at the animals and life on the farm. Visitors can then donate to University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity as a thanks for the informative trip.
In recent years, Philip has raised over £70,000 for University Hospitals Dorset’s various cancer-related departments and teams.
This most recent donation will be directed towards enhancing University Hospitals Dorset’s radiotherapy services, ensuring that future patients have access to enhanced facilities, state-of-the-art equipment and compassionate care just as Jane did.
Philip said: “We experienced the services, treatments and care by the Dorset Cancer Centre when my wife was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Jane’s wish was to use our vintage tractor to fundraise and give something back to the system that had taken care of her and gave us as a family the support we needed during that time.
“In the last five years we have raised over £70,000 which has been donated to The Sandbanks Ward, The Lung Club and the Surface Guided Radiotherapy Equipment fund.
“This money was raised by running two events called The Purbeck Coast Tractor Run; and over the last four years, we have opened our farm during August for camping.
“On the campsite, we offer tractor and trailer rides around our farm for small donations, and we also have a great relationship with a local metal detecting club, who use our farmland and local farms around us, also fundraise and generously donate to the charity pot.
“Our son Ben and I are delighted to have raised so much money for local cancer services and fulfil Janes wish. We are continuing our fundraising efforts for cancer services at Poole Hospital with our vintage tractor this summer at Throop Hollow Farm.”
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity corporate fundraiser, Hayley Harris, said: “We are incredibly moved and thankful for Philip’s generosity. His fundraising is a beautiful tribute to Jane’s memory and the compassionate care she received at Poole Hospital. His amazing contribution will make a real difference in enhancing the patient experience for those undergoing cancer treatment and their loved ones across our community. We honestly can’t thank Philip and Philip Trim Contractors enough for their outstanding support over the years.”
Thank you so much, Philip, for your ongoing support for University Hospitals Dorset and our NHS teams in the past. This generosity highlights the profound impact that individual support can have on the lives of others receiving care during their cancer journey.
Whether through fundraising, volunteering or direction donations, involvement from individuals and businesses coming together in helping University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity, together everybody can to continue to provide the special extras that help enhance our local hospitals. Find out how you can get involved on the charity website: UHDcharity.org/get-involved/.