An ambitious fundraising campaign for Bermuda’s new hospital aims to raise about $9 million in time for the acute care wing’s expected completion at the end of September.

Ralph Richardson, the new executive director of the Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Trust (BHCT), expressed full confidence in the charity’s ability to make good on the $40 million payout due to Paget Health Services when the new hospital is ready.

The project is also backed by a Government guarantee.

“I feel very positive about it. And the general public, and every single person who comes to see the new hospital, is going to be absolutely surprised at the facility, especially when they compare it with what’s abroad,” Mr Richardson said. “It’s a 21st century hospital.”

The BHCT was formed a decade ago with the mission of raising the $40 million, a lump-sum that was agreed upon after an extensive feasibility study. So far, $31 million has been raised out of individual and corporate donations, but a new campaign has been launched for the final phase.

“We’re reaching the home stretch,” Mr Richardson said.

Tomorrow will see a “phone-a-thon” for donors to pledge their support.

There is a June 7 deadline for donors of $5,000 or more to get named on the hospital’s Donor Wall, and a June 20 deadline for a $1,000 donation to secure a place in the Legacy Walkway, marked with a personalised brick.

But the campaign will continue after June, in part by using smaller donations to be linked to tangible benefits for the Island’s hospital: $50 for an IV stand, $300 for a walker and $400 toward a wheelchair ­— all new equipment that the hew hospital will need.

Mr Richardson said a number of “significant” corporate donations are likely to be announced in the coming week.

“We always thought local companies wouldn’t be able to step up to the plate, but several have,” he said. “We also have a couple of exciting projects coming up. I can’t say much at this stage, but there is the potential to have donations from outside the Island.”