Two important pieces of medical equipment for use in the Alresford Surgery have been funded by the Alresford Pigs as they approach their 50th year of helping people in and around the town.

Alresford Pigs Association are planning a series of events and celebrations to mark the occasion. They want to create a lasting legacy that benefits the people of Alresford. Part of getting ideas for this legacy involved contacting local schools, the Town Council and the Alresford Surgery to get an idea of their wants and needs. A very prompt response from the Surgery flew back to the Pigs with a request for a Hyfrecator to assist and enhance the Practice’s ability to deliver minor surgical procedures as well as a bariatric couch - an important item to help the treatment of a small section of the population.

The Surgery has a team of around 20 medical professionals administering to a practice population of more than 10,000 people.

Dr Ben Saunders, GP Partner, said: "This equipment allows us to provide continuing high-quality care, with a range of services, for all our patients. This is another example of the assistance the Pigs provide to Alresford Surgery which has also included marshalling our flu and covid clinics this autumn. We are immensely grateful for the support of the Alresford Pigs Association".

The Alresford Pigs members delivered a cheque for £5,099.64 to the Surgery enabling them to purchase the badly needed equipment.

Sam Kerr-Smiley, current Chairman of the Pigs, said “Our 50th anniversary is a landmark occasion for us, and we want to ensure we launch in 2024 with a bang! Providing badly needed equipment like this for the Surgery goes to the heart of the reason why we are Pigs.”

The Alresford Pigs is a local charity providing financial assistance to those in need in Alresford and the surrounding villages and has been doing so for 50 years. While the Pigs are perhaps best known for their fundraising events, such as the town Duck Race in June and lighting up Alresford with Christmas Trees in December and Arrival of Father Christmas as well helping to deliver the Alresford Show and many other events, they funded local good causes to the tune of £25,000 in 2023 alone.