adding more weight to an already outstanding track record of service to Bermuda.

As part of the organisation's 40th anniversary celebrations, Premier the Hon.

Sir John Swan and Lady Swan will be hosting a special reception at Camden this Saturday evening and a Thanksgiving Service will be held at the Anglican Cathedral.

Although WHA members -- or Pink Ladies, as they are popularly known -- have been a familiar sight for four decades, many Bermudians are unaware of the broad range of services they provide and the invaluable contributions they have made to health care in the Island.

The Auxiliary was the brainchild of Bermuda Hospitals Board member Mrs.

Frances Hallamore, who recognised the need for a corps of volunteers to supplement hospital staff and raise funds for improvements.

Mrs. Hallamore resigned from her BHB post to start up the new group, and on March 14, 1953, she and ten friends held the first WHA meeting.

From those humble beginnings, the charity has grown into a 600-strong force which is responsible in part for the hospitals' high standards of care.

Approximately 400 of the members are active -- about 50 are at work any given day -- including ten men who are affectionately known as "Pink Panthers''.

There are also 90 14 to 18 year-olds within the ranks of the organisation's junior wing, the Candy Stripers, who work side-by-side with the Pink Ladies on weekends and holidays.

Although they are most visible at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, WHA members serve at St. Brendan's Psychiatric Hospital and the Agape House hospice for the terminally ill.

Their duties extend to every department -- wherever their help is needed the most: Manning reception desks, delivering prescriptions from the pharmacy, and assisting in the emergency, extended care and intensive care units and all of the general wards.

The WHA even organises weekly services at the hospital's Chapel. Pink Ladies also deliver flower bouquets to rooms and wheel a Hospitality Cart loaded with publications, toiletry items, small gifts and other items through the wards six days per week.

The WHA also throws parties for patients at those special times of the year.

One can imagine what would Christmas be like in hospital without the Pink Ladies arranging a visit from Santa Claus.

One of the organisation's newest services has received high praise from visitors to the Island who have found themselves confined to hospital.

Overseas Family Help Service finds reasonably-priced accommodation near KEMH for family members, arranges interpreters for patients unable to speak English and makes a telephone available day and night for overseas calls.

WHA president Mrs. Kay Mayor explained there is someone on duty every day at the hospital to assist visitors who find themselves in such a situation.

Equally important as their hours of "hands-on'' work is the substantial financial contribution the Pink Ladies have made to the Island's medical facilities.

Over the years they have purchased such items as wheelchairs, ambulances, mini buses, cardiac monitoring systems, laboratory equipment and Cat Scan and Ultra Sound machines.

The Bermuda Hospitals Board submits requests for assistance to purchase medical equipment and supplies or fund special projects, and the WHA answers the call as much as their budget will allow.

One extensive project was the 1990 refurbishment of all birthing rooms in the maternity ward at KEMH.

In the early days of its existence, WHA raised funds for the hospitals through tag days and fairs, but since the late 1960's, the Coffee Shop and Gift Shop on the ground floor of KEMH and The Barn thrift shop on St. Brendan's Lane, Devonshire, have supplied a steady, regular income.

At the organisation's last general meeting, the three businesses posted combined annual earnings of over $215,000 -- each and every penny of which goes toward improving existing hospital facilities.

"Most (overseas) auxiliaries are amazed at the amount of money we raise from our fundraising businesses,'' advisory chairperson Lady Astwood said.

The Coffee Shop and Gift Shop, which opened along with the new hospital in 1965, have become popular fixtures.

Once manned entirely by Pink Ladies, the Coffee Shop's increased popularity necessitated the hiring of some paid staff members.

The restaurant offers everything from light breakfasts and sandwiches to hot meals and salads from Monday to Saturday between 9 a.m. and 4.45 p.m.

The Gift Shop has become a shopping landmark in Bermuda with its treasure trove of colourful and unusual items.

The mixture of goods includes toys, silk flowers, place mats, stationary, greetings cards, baby items and toiletries.

A group of women known as the Sterling Stitchers for their knitting, sewing and crocheting skills also help keep the Gift Shop stocked with unique baby clothes, cushions and other gifts.

The store is especially popular around Christmastime, when an unmatchable variety of festive ornaments and gifts fill the shelves.

The Barn, which was first opened in 1964 on the Tucker Estate in Paget, is open for business each Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., selling everything from clothing to gifts.

New or slightly used items in good condition are accepted at the store on weekdays between 10 a.m. and noon.

The WHA's pink Bermuda sand, sifted into bottles by St. Brendan's residents, is still a money-maker along with the St. Brendan's Tuck Shop.

Lady Astwood said the charity is always on the look-out for new members of any age and gender. She said they are especially hoping to attract more retired men to their ranks.

Membership applications can be picked up at the WHA office next to the reception desk at the front entrance of KEMH.

IN THE PINK -- One of the most effective ways the Auxiliary raises funds for the hospitals is through the coffee shop at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Shown taking a quick break are, clockwise from left, Mrs. Lis Shirley, Mrs.

Ruth Woolridge, Mrs. Lynne Diehl, Mrs. Mary Adderley and Mrs. Esme Swan.