At the Charity’s Chelsea Physic Garden party our chief executive Richard Bowyer made a big announcement to our gathered supporters.

He said: “I’m pleased to announce to you this evening we are committing a further £182,000 from our Covid-19 Relief Fund to the hospitals to help them buy the equipment they most urgently need over the next few months.”

These gifts to the hospitals were made possible thanks to all your incredible fundraising. Richard thanked the many generous donors that made this possible. He said:

It’s your generosity, compassion and concern that has made these gifts possible. Thank you all so much from all of us to all of you. Thank you all so much for being there when these extraordinary hospitals needed you most.

Your fundraising has been amazing. You didn’t let lockdowns or bad weather stop you raising money for the hospitals when they needed it the most. Whether it was clocking up miles for Team Heart or Team Lungs, teeing off for the Golf Day, taking on a Wing Walk or doing personal fundraising, large and small, you went the extra mile for the hospitals so that we could buy this new equipment.

Your extraordinary fundraising has bought new humidifiers, ECMO equipment and i-STAT handheld Blood gas analysers for the hospitals, as well as a Moto Med arm and leg, a static bike for ITU patients and new ultrasounds.

Robert Craig, director of development & operations at Royal Brompton & Harefield hospitals, said: “This equipment will make a real difference to our patients and staff. It will help hardworking NHS staff at both our hospitals save many lives over the years to come. I know I speak for everyone here who would like to say thank you to the people who fundraised and donated to the Covid-19 Relief Fund.”

The Chelsea Physic Garden party was attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra, KG, GCVO-, Sir Kenneth Olisa the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity’s chairman Richard Hunting CBE, NHS staff from the hospitals and supporters who had given generously to the Charity and made this gift possible.

The Covid-19 Relief Fund was launched in February 2021 during the second wave of the pandemic to help the hospitals rise to the challenge of Covid-19, but to also provide for their futures. This new equipment will help the hospitals treat the remaining Covid-19 patients, but will also help them treat patients with other heart and lung conditions.

Thank you to everyone who fundraised and donated to the Covid-19 Relief Fund. Your generosity will save lives and help keep our hospitals at the leading edge of patient care.