A financially struggling National Health Service (NHS) trust has turned down thousands of pounds of charitable donations because a politically correct boss objected to male fundraisers dressing up as female nurses.

Th chief executive of Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust claimed the comical “bed push” event could make people feel “uncomfortable or embarrassed” and rejected the £2,500 donation.

The event has happened annually in the town of Ludlow, south Shropshire, for 20 years and was set up with the help of, and has frequently involved, members of staff from the hospital.

In recent years, transgender activists have argued it is “transphobic” for men to dress as women if they are not transgendered, and many gay pride events and university campuses have banned transvestites and cross dressing for politically correct reasons.

Shropshire NHS Trust turned down £2,500 from @LeagueOfFriends because they were in drag. Have your say in our poll https://t.co/OPEUHEYFv9 pic.twitter.com/l2uafKXrJZ — Independent Nurse (@IndyNurseMag) August 23, 2017

Jan Ditheridge, chief executive of the trust, told the Shropshire Star: “It isn’t okay to portray health care professionals in this way. 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.

“I’m sure the event was organised with the best intentions and we are sorry if it’s made people feel uncomfortable or embarrassed.

“Many people kindly and selflessly raise money for our organisation, and especially for our hospitals. We are eternally grateful for that,” she said.

‘We never set out to cause offence’ Men who dressed as nurses to raise £2,500 for Ludlow Hospital have defended their actions after their outfits were called “demeaning” by health bosses. http://bbc.in/2vVlRzR Posted by BBC Midlands on Tuesday, 22 August 2017

The ‘bed push’ was the idea of Howard Watkins, lifetime president of the League of Friends group. Long-time chairman Mr. Corfield hit back at the rejection of their donation: “We have not had one single complaint about this event from members of the public.

“The bed push has over the years raised a substantial amount of money and the lads who do it are great supporters of the hospital.

“I need to talk to the lads who do this because it is effectively casting aspersions on their character.

“What Ms Ditheridge doesn’t seem to be aware of is that the bed push was originally set up with the full co-operation of the hospital staff and has been happening in the town for about 18 to 20 years.

“Hospital staff have been involved with doing their make-up and, in the days when we actually pushed a bed around town, a member of staff was sometimes the person in the bed.

“I think it’s an over-reaction to say that they will not accept the money.”