A record-breaking total
This year, kind donations to our Christmas Gift Appeal raised a record-breaking total of over £40,000. This meant that we could give a gift to every patient who spent the festive period in a Barts Health NHS hospital. Each ward also received a hamper for staff, who are giving their all during the pandemic.
During this difficult start to the new year, we’ll be continuing to support Barts Health staff, including a further £50,000 emergency Covid-19 funding for frontline workers.
St Bartholomew’s Hospital patient Julie receives her gift
Fantastic fundraisers
We’d like to thank everybody in the community who got behind us at Christmas by making a donation. We had lots of brilliant fundraisers, including the Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service who had a busy year helping patients get to and from the hospitals.
The team held a virtual quiz for staff, hosted by Patient Transport Manager Erkan, who was treated as a patient himself at Newham Hospital and formerly played Roland in BBC’s Grange Hill. The quiz raised £1,400, and an additional £6,100 was donated by the team’s suppliers and partners.
Patient Transport Manager Erkan hosting a virtual quiz
Giving back to our NHS
East Londoner Chris was inspired to fundraise for the Christmas Appeal following his treatment at The Royal London Hospital. A year on from a life-changing accident, Chris walked a half marathon around his local streets and raised £1,400 in thanks for his care from the hospital’s Fractures team.
East Londoner Chris walking a half marathon around the local area
Help from our local football clubs
Our local football clubs traditionally support us at Christmas and 2020 was no different; Leyton Orient FC helped share our Christmas Gift Appeal with its fans and Tottenham Hotspur FC gave a ‘virtual visit’ to Whipps Cross Hospital’s children’s ward. Stars Sergio Reguilon, Dele Alli and Japhet Tangana chatted to patients and the club sent gifts for patients and staff.
West Ham Utd offered a series of opportunities for staff fans. England and West Ham player Declan Rice surprised Whipps Cross worker Matt with a video call, and nurses from Newham Hospital were invited to be flagbearers at a match. Also attending the match were Whipps Cross staff member Denise and her family. Denise’s father Denis – a Hammers fan for over 85 years – sadly recently passed away after battling COVID-19 so West Ham invited his family to enjoy the match from a box in dedication to him.
Barts Health staff Nasiha and Bianca pitchside at a West Ham Utd match
Thank you
As our hospitals once again face the extreme pressure of Covid-19, we’re committed to helping our East London NHS through it, and thank you for your continued support.