Three community groups made donations to the Milton-Ulladulla United Hospital Auxiliary branch at Wednesday’s monthly meeting.

Auxiliary president Narelle Ober said she was “gobsmacked” when Ulladulla and District Garden Club president Lindy Bonser announced $3853 had been raised via their open garden event and garden expo held over the October long-weekend.

Two local quilting groups, the Cygnets and the Twitterers, also raised a combined $714 for the appeal from shows and serving tea and coffee during the garden club’s open days.

Mrs Ober said, following the meeting, she received another $5171 cheque from a recent Curves Girls Night fundraiser.

“I get gobsmacked by the amount of money coming in from the community for the renal unit,” she said.

“It’s obvious so many people are affected by kidney disease.”

State Government funds have been committed to the construction of the new unit at Milton-Ulladulla Hospital, but funds are still being raised to fit out the facility.

Mrs Ober said 6000 members of hospital auxiliaries around New South Wales had raised more than $10 million for vital equipment and service over the last financial year.

“That includes the $100,000 raised by our community - which is the most money we have ever raised in a 12 month period,” she added.

Last week’s donation have pushed the fundraising total up to $120,000.

New hospital Director of Nursing Helen Manoharan said she was continually amazed by the community’s generosity.

“I am absolutely stunningly humbled,” she said.

“This amount of support from the community makes me emotional - thank you.”