Stafford hospital camp prepares to host NHS campaigners from across the country
There are now 40 tents at Stafford Hospital set up by campaigners protesting against the downgrading of services at the site.
Members of the group who arrived on the site three weeks ago say they are staying strong and are preparing to host members of other NHS protest groups from across the country on Saturday.
Dozens of people are on the campsite at any one time.
The protestors are now preparing to host around 100 members of other NHS protest groups at 4pm on Saturday for a barbecue as a demonstration of solidarity against controversial NHS changes.
Support Stafford Hospital campaigner Julian Porter, who played a key part in setting the camp up, said it would also be an opportunity for campaign groups to build links and work together.
The first campers came onto the site on June 18 in protest at cuts to services after two legal bids to stop a planned downgrade failed.
Mr Porter, aged 47, of Brocton, Stafford, said: "We've got members of campaign groups from across the country joining us on Saturday.
"There could be up to 100 from different campaign groups.
"We will be able to unite and share ideas.
"The critical care unit at the hospital has even agreed to supply the meat and Warburtons are donating 300 bread rolls."
He said the number of donations being brought to camp in the form of food or other supplies was also growing daily.
The father-of-four said: "The mosquitoes have been terrible. We have been sent insect repellent. There are people delivering ice, food, cake and chocolates.
"We've got a play area for the children. Toys have been donated and we've got a paddling pool.
"We are even getting cards delivered to the camp saying good luck.
"There are quite a lot of people who are staying here all of the time.
"There are pensioners at the camp. There are mothers, kids and families. They want to do it for the future of their kids.
"Two more tents recently arrived so people are turning up all of the time. We have about 40 tents at the moment.
"It's a whole community effort. It's a little village."
He said the camp was staying put until protestors concerns were taken seriously.
Stafford Hospital was deemed to be financially and clinically unsustainable by health bosses.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt approved the measures to strip services from the troubled site.
It came after a critical public inquiry.
The protests comes after it emerged that two applications to launch legal bids against the downgrading of the hospital have been rejected.
Mr Porter added: "We just want services to stay at Stafford and we are going to start until we get some dialogue going."
The Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust said it had received reassurances from organisers that there would be no disruption to patients or visitors and was not increasing security.
See also:
Stafford Hospital camping campaigners: Well stay until our services are saved
Campaigners could camp outside Stafford Hospital for further two weeks
Protesters camp out in Stafford Hospital grounds over planned cuts
