THE DIDIM branch of a women’s group has given the campaign to raise funds to equip the town’s hospital a major boost.

The town’s Yardımseverler Derneği Grup – Turkey Philanthropists Association – has raised funds for Eco-Cardio equipment as part of an ongoing campaign to fit out the hospital’s latest specialist unit.

Presently, Turkish and expat residents have to visit regional hospitals, such as Soke, for heart and general cardio assessments as there are no facilities at the town’s hospital.

However campaigns are underway to raise funds for high-tech cardio assessments units, as well as furniture, for the unit.

Didim’s Yardımseverler Derneği’s president is Deniz Baylan, whose family run the Blue Restaurant, at Yesilkent. It has 142 branches all over Turkey with more than 14,300 members.

It has previously bought an ambulance and X-ray machines for the hospital following fundraising from public events, such as bazaars.

Ms Baylan recently presented the unit with the Eco-Cardio machine to hospital manager Fatma Aydoğan with Didim Governor Iskender Yonden and Mayor Deniz Atabay present.

Mr Baylan, whose association has also given scholarships to 20 students, invited all members of the community to join her group and help put their time and effort to a host of good causes locally.

She said: “We have, in a very short period of time, raised funds for the device for the cardio unit for Didim. We reached our goal through raising money from local bazaars. We would urge everyone to come and participate for the betterment of Didim.”

The cardio unit campaign is also being supported by the Didim Help-in Hands group which is seeking to raise 18,000TL towards.

For more information about Didim’s Yardımseverler Derneği contact Ms Baylan on 0533 766 0711.