Edna Coates was a remarkable Wakefield charity fundraiser who raised money for diabetes care, cancer services and patients at Pinderfields Hospital.
Born on 27 June 1928, Edna lived most of her life in Middlestown, Wakefield, where she raised her family and dedicated all her spare time to raising funds for local charities.
Fundraising for Diabetes Care in Wakefield
Edna sometimes used unconventional means to raise money for the things she believed in. She was a diabetic herself, and passionate about raising the profile of the condition. She organised sponsored darts marathons, penny for the guy collections, gala charity nights and bric-a-brac auctions.
One auction featured Coronation Street character Bet Lynch’s earrings! She also galvanised Emmerdale Farm actor Christopher Chittell, who played Eric Pollard, to be an auctioneer.
Edna unashamedly asked those ‘with’ money, status and fame to support those ‘without’. This gave her a reputation for being someone who moved from one successful fundraising campaign to the next.
Edna even wrote directly to Diana, Princess of Wales for support, and she received a personal cheque which went towards the building of Yorkshire’s first dedicated diabetic centre.
Carol Coates, Edna’s daughter, recalls with pride how creative her mum was when trying to raise funds:
She didn’t care who she asked, or how. Her priority was to get support for those who were unable to access it and as a diabetic, treatment was not available in Wakefield, so she decided to do something about it. She raised millions so that the people of Wakefield didn’t have to go to Leeds for their treatment.
Supporting Patients at Pinderfields Hospital
Edna Coates’ involvement in taking care of the sick of Wakefield extended beyond her work for the Cancer and Diabetes Centre. The Edna Coates Diabetes and Endocrinology Centre (Pinderfields) still bears her name today.
She raised money for the Pinderfields paraplegic ward, enabled the first patients’ laundrette to be built and maintained and, with her fundraising prowess, bought mobile phones for patients to use.
She also raised over £43,000 in 1983, for the first eye laser treatment machine in Yorkshire. Alongside other cutting-edge technologies and treatments, this made Wakefield’s treatment options among the most advanced in Yorkshire at that time.
Recognition for Edna Coate’s Fundraising
Edna’s granddaughter Daisy, at the age of only 15, nominated Edna for the British Health Care Awards because she felt her grandmother deserved recognition for all she did.
It takes not one person, but lots to raise that kind of money and my grandmother has always been a front-runner at getting everyone involved. If it wasn’t for people like her, I’m sure many sick people would be a lot worse off.
Daisy also entered her grandma into a Sunday Mirror competition, which she won. This meant both Edna and Daisy went on a Concorde flight in recognition of Edna being a “Super Gran”. This was part of British Airways’ celebrations to honour the Queen Mother’s 85th birthday in 1985.
Edna’s contribution to her local community also received national recognition. In 1993, she was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for charitable services to the community in Wakefield.
A Wakefield Blue Plaque for Edna Coates
With the redevelopment and rebuilding of Pinderfields Hospital, Edna’s legacy has largely been forgotten. Dream Time Creative’s Forgotten Women of Wakefield project therefore worked with Wakefield Civic Society to honour her with a blue plaque.
The plaque ensures that Edna and her extraordinary fundraising achievements are remembered alongside other incredible women from Wakefield’s past.
Press & Media Links
Wakefield Express: Three new blue plaques for women who helped to shape our city