It's back! Ludlow Bed Push returns a year after row over men in drag
The Ludlow Bed Push made a return to the town this weekend - a year after it hit the headlines because it was claimed the event, featuring men in drag, was "insulting" to nurses.
The bed push has raised thousands of pounds for the town's hospital over the years - but last year health bosses refused to accept the £2,500 raised because of how the participants were dressed.
Despite this, the event, which is organised by the League of Friends of Ludlow Hospital, was revived on Saturday.
Maternity campaigner Alison Hiles and her husband Mark both took part.
She said: "It was a really good positive day. Some people were putting £5, £10 and even £20 notes in the collection buckets.
"Everyone was in fancy dress. The nine gents dressed as nurses, I dressed as a porter and the other lady was dressed as a doctor.
"The money is still being counted but we should know how much we have raised soon."
The cash is expected to fund projects in the local community.
After the money was refused last year, Jan Ditheridge, chief executive of Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust, said in a letter: "The presentation of men dressed as female nurses in a highly-sexualised and demeaning way is wrong, very outdated and insulting to the profession."
Ms Ditheridge added: "We have previously asked that this doesn't happen and therefore don't think it's right to accept any money associated with this activity."
But Mr Hiles said they had gone as nurses "because it raises more awareness".
He added that the group had "great respect for all the nursing profession", but they were "not harming anybody".
