Without public generosity people's health would have suffered
A new research report highlights the crucial role of historic fundraising in shaping experiences of healthcare today.
Each year millions of CT and MRI scans help to diagnose and treat cancer, blood clots, diabetes, strokes and internal injuries. In 2023 alone, some 7.1 million CT scans were performed along with 4.1 million MRS scans.
The use of scanners in healthcare is taken for granted today but when this technology was first developed in the 1970s, the prohibitive cost of buying new machines meant NHS hospitals turned to fundraising to ensure that all patients could benefit from this novel diagnostic technology.
The research was carried out by charity consultant Jayne Lacny in collaboration with Professor Beth Breeze (Director of the University of Kent’s Centre for Philanthropy) based on Craigmyle papers in the UK Philanthropy archive, also based at Kent.
The UK Philanthropy Archive is part of the Special Collections and Archives in the University’s Templeman Library.
Analysis of the role of fundraising in historic scanner appeals was made possible by a new deposit of papers from Craigmyle Fundraising Consultants.
Professor Breeze said: "We are grateful that Craigmyle have deposited their papers in the UK Philanthropy Archive which is housed at the University of Kent. Making these papers available enables future scholars and practitioners to better understand the development of professional fundraising in the UK.
"The rich history of raising funds for good causes is a key part of our nation’s social history, in which Craigmyle have played an enduring and leading role."
Jayne Lacny said: "The importance of these machines cannot be underestimated. If you have had a scan in a hospital in the last four decades, the chances are that the machine was paid for, at least in part, by voluntary donations.
"The Craigmyle papers contain 60 years of fascinating materials concerning fundraising appeals from many different not-for-profit sectors, from hospitals to universities, schools to large ecclesiastical projects and much more. We can learn a huge amount about fundraising today by looking at approaches from the past."
Current Craigmyle director Siân Newton said: "We are delighted to see this fascinating report. The lead author, Jayne Lacny, has done a fantastic job of delving into our collection, speaking with Craigmyle consultants who led major fundraising appeals in the 1980s and 1990s, and capturing a story that underscores Craigmyle’s leadership at the forefront of fundraising in the UK."
The report entitled ‘Equipping the Future: The role of fundraising in historic hospital scanner appeals’ is available to read online.
