Welcome to the Charity blog with an update as to how we at Charity HQ are adapting to the challenging times around us. Most of the Charity team are now working from home and thanks to all sorts of technology systems in place, this is going to be easy, whilst keeping us all away from large groups and public transport. 

We have already had to cancel some get togethers which is very sad and of course like many Charities, we are anxious about losing valuable income because of the cancellation of external fundraisers like the London and Brighton Marathons, half marathons and other events.  You, our donors and supporters, too will be restricted as to what you can do to support us.

Very soon, News Beat will be dropping through your letterbox so that will be a great way to tell you all about what we have been doing.  Of course, we have huge ambitions for 2020 and we would love to share the news of two brand-new appeals at the hospitals with you. But for now, our focus is still very much our ECMO Appeal which needs your support now more than ever – this lifesaving piece of equipment is a last chance method for saving many vulnerable people who are in severe respiratory or cardiac failure. It would be wonderful if we could purchase more machines to the fleet of ECMO machines here at Royal Brompton and Harefield.

At the moment our frontline NHS colleagues are facing unprecedented times. We are all wanting to show our support and gratitude for their dedication and commitment to their patients. So, how can we help? Our Patients’ Fund not only helps our patients but we will also support our nurses and other clinical staff at this challenging time.  We can add to this fund to provide help for things such as life’s essential when NHS staff must stay overnight, or little treats so they know that people are thinking of them and want to say thank you. 

We understand our fundraising is having to be scaled back, but our determination to meet our targets and buy this life saving equipment is still the same. Please do support our appeals by donating to our ECMO Appeal and to show support to our amazing NHS colleagues please consider supporting our Patients Fund

If you don’t receive a copy of News Beat – please do let the Charity Team know by either emailing [email protected] or via social media. In the meantime please do continue to follow us on our social media platforms as we will want to share information about postponed events with new dates, along with ideas and tips on how to stay healthy and happy at home.

So now I just urge you to stay safe and look after yourselves and your loved ones.  We will stay in regular touch with you via this website and other social media so please do stay in touch with us and if you can help our Charity through this challenging time it would mean a huge amount to us and to our NHS colleagues who are at the forefront of the battle to protect, care for and treat our most vulnerable patients.  Our thoughts are very much with people who are at risk of coronavirus, those who already have it and our fantastic NHS staff who are working so hard. 

Thank you for all your support and I will be in touch soon.