A CAFE at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital which pumps profits into patient care has increased takings by more than £1,000 a week.

The League of Friends cafe on level two atof the hospital in Headington was revamped extensively in December and its takings in February have been £1,000 a week higher than last February.

Then, the cafe took an average of £1,383 a day; this February the figure had increased to £1,600.

Footfall has also increased with a daily average of 571.

The cafe, which is open weekdays and a few hours on Saturdays, is run by more than 70 volunteers who make sandwiches and drinks for hospital staff, patients and visitors on a daily basis.

Our top stories

It contributed £100,000 towards hospital equipment in the last financial year, an amount that could increase five-fold in the coming year.

League of Friends chairman Andrew Bax said: “If this trend is maintained the League of Friends can expect its turnover to exceed £500,000 in the next financial year, enabling it to spend a lot more on much-needed hospital equipment.

“Volunteers come from all walks of life and enjoy the companionship and the fulfilment that comes from doing something that is so widely appreciated.

“They are of all ages too, including students and people on work experience as well as those who are retired, and some have been with the league since it began 30 years ago.”

The cafe has a new range of food including freshly made rolls, cakes and its all-time favourite, Belgian buns.

Cafe manager David Simpson said the revamp, which included new flooring, partitions, counters and equipment, had also helped boost business.

He said: “It’s been brilliant. The volunteers have done very well given their average age is about 77.

“They’ve really stuck to it, which hasn’t always been easy because of changes in the kitchen equipment.”

Mr Simpson said the oldest volunteer was 88-year-old Margaret Ward, who still comes in on Fridays to make sandwiches and baguettes.

He said: “It’s a great atmosphere, we’re always laughing and joking “It’s a lot of hard work for the volunteers but the busier it gets the more fun we seem to have.”

George Heath, 21, from Headington, who has been volunteering at the cafe for the past three years, said: “At the moment we’re incredibly busy – a lot busier than we used to be before the refurbishment.”

“We feel appreciated for what we do.”

The League, which has about 700 members, also runs a smaller tea counter in the hospital’s women’s centre.

To find out about volunteering at the cafes, call 01865 220997.