John Hazell
My name is John, I moved to Caterham in 1988, met and married my wife Caroline, raised four children and worked as an electrical contractor in the rail environment. I first became aware of the Dene when I needed a concrete splinter removed from my eye in 1990-ish. Over the next thirty odd years I have used the Dene on too many occasions to remember. I became a Warden for the League of Friends in 2007 delivering the Newsletters.

On my retirement during another visit to the Dene for an X-ray I was asked by the shop lady if I could just help lift some boxes into the shop while I waited, I’m still there! 2019 saw me taking on the role of Membership secretary. This led to sitting on the Fund raising committee, followed by becoming a Trustee and finally in May 2023 becoming the Chair.

Hobbies, I keep Bee’s and Poultry and enjoy walking our two dogs on the Downs.

Hetty Duck
My name is Hetty and my husband and I have been Friends of Caterham Dene Hospital for many years. Having had to use the facilities on occasions and visiting friends and family who were admitted there, I realised that the Friends of the hospital would be a very worthwhile project to support.

Later I got more involved and joined the group of wardens to deliver The Friends newsletters. This keeps me fit too as I enjoy walking. I joined the knitters amongst us to supply the shop and bake cakes for the summer or Christmas fairs.

In 2023 a place for a trustee became vacant and I was invited to  join the trustees committee. Meeting new people and knowing we can all make a difference for the local community is important to me. Having the hospital and it's facilities nearby is a great advantage and I feel privileged to be part of the Friends organisation.

Rosemary Bailey
My name is Rosie Bailey. I am retired enjoy life and a variety of activities… family, gardening, reading, walking and travel.

My husband died over twenty years ago, far too young, so I appreciate that I enjoy good health and do not take this for granted. Prior to retirement I was the Social Worker at Caterham Dene Hospital for many years, so I know from first-hand experience how the local people of Caterham Warlingham and Woldingham benefit from having a community hospital.

I am also aware of how the monies raised by the Friends of the dene benefit patients by providing many personal items as well as specialised furniture and medical equipment for the ward and outpatient/ minor injuries departments.

I have been a Trustee of the Friends of Caterham Dene for a number of years and appreciate all the work they do for the benefit of patients.

Linda Woodland
I have lived in Caterham for thirty seven years having moved into our new house two days after the 1987 hurricane. I have two sons and a two year old granddaughter who I look after two days a week.

After retiring from being a PA for twenty years and, after having a bit of a rest, I decided that I wanted to do a volunteer role. It was very fortuitous that I met a lady at a local concert who was a volunteer at the Dene. After a chat about what the Friends did I didn’t hesitate to call and see what I could offer. I started doing a shift in the hospital shop and then joined the fund raising committee. I was then asked to become a Trustee I was delighted, I enjoy being involved and seeing what a difference we make.

The Friends provide many valued extras for the patients, staff and much needed equipment for the hospital it is a fantastic team to be a part of and a wonderful hospital to be able to help we are so lucky to have it.

Berenice Frith
I am Berenice Frith and have lived in Caterham for the past thirty years with my husband Chris and our two daughters.

I began volunteering at the shop run by the Friends within Caterham Dene Hospital two years ago after meeting Helen, the former Chair of the charity. My elder daughter and I had been looking to do some voluntary work together to give something back to the local community. I recently became a trustee in May 2024.

Although I have not known of many people who have been a patient at Caterham Dene hospital, both my daughter and I received excellent treatments from the staff at the minor injuries unit. Firstly, when I tripped and broke my right elbow on a raised flagstone and again when my daughter had suspected Sepsis and was immediately sent to East Surrey Hospital. I see at first hand how all the staff and Friends work together to provide the best possible hospital experience for all patients. This inspires me to help in any way I can.

Stephen Slade
Hi I’m Steve and I have been a member of Friends for many years and became the Treasurer in 2017.

When I moved to Caterham in 1999 I was very surprised that it had a local hospital. Caterham Dene hospital has proved to be so valuable for me as over the years, while raising a family in Caterham, we made a number of visits to the hospital to receive medical assistance.

It is such an asset to our community to have a local hospital and be able to receive care at the minor injuries unit and other walk-in facilities, without having to travel to the larger hospitals. I have always been so impressed with the standard of care provided by the staff at Caterham Dene Hospital and feel we should all do as much as we can to keep this great facility.

I am very proud that as part of Friends we have been able to provide the hospital with nearly £500,000 of equipment and facilities since 2010.

Jean Mallery
I’m Jean, I joined the Friends of Caterham Dene Hospital in 2014 following retirement, having time for voluntary work, the Dene Hospital being an extremely good cause. Currently a Trustee and serving on the Fund-Raising Committee, over the years I have organised concerts and race nights which have proved to be successful fund-raising events. I have a passion for gardening and have enjoyed tending to the Charity's garden and working in the shop. I am actively involved with all Bazaars and fund raising activities.

In my working life have been a Director of many Companies, served on PTA committees and School Governor to a local School. At present am Chair/Treasurer of a Choir. My time is taken up with Golf, Gardening, Craft and Socialising. The hospital at the Dene, in Caterham, is such a great asset and a worthwhile charity to belong to.

Geraint Jenkins
My name is Geraint and I was born and brought in up in Ystradgynlais near Swansea.

I live and have taught in Caterham since 1977 soon after which I became a member of The League of Friends Of Caterham Dene Hospital (now known as Friends of The Dene). I have volunteered at the fetes, table sales, in the Shop and I help to coordinate the Christmas Eve Carol singing event which involves members of Caterham Rotary Club and St. Luke’s Larks who join the staff and patients to celebrate this time of the year.

I became a trustee of the Friends Of The Dene in 2023 and I am proud of our Hospital as so many people tell me how much they value the facilities and activities. I particularly appreciated the invitation to carry out an audit recently which enabled me to have an insight into the strengths and developments at our hospital.

Jane Hampson
I'm Jane. I got involved with the Friends of Caterham Dene when a friend told me they were looking for donations of wool at Caterham Dene.

Having inherited a large amount of wool from various clients, I went to the shop to meet the chairperson, donated some wool, knitted some Christmas novelties and soon found that I'd volunteered to man the shop on Monday afternoons, help out on the fundraising committee, tidy the hospital garden and join the board of trustees. Thankfully I have just retired from my teaching and caring careers!

I have three grown up children and (as yet) no grandchildren but I have adopted a retired racing greyhound to share my retirement and growing old together.