We had the most amazing donor event last week, thanks to our fantastic hospital colleagues. With the launch of our new appeal – Enhancing Critical Care at Royal Brompton – donors wanted to see behind the scenes of the construction to create the two new pioneering adult intensive care rooms that this appeal will help to fund (read all about our new appeal here). We were thrilled that 30 supporters wanted to come. But, while the new rooms will be more spacious, 30 is rather a push. A tour of the site could only really consist of eight to ten people. 

This called for some creativity. How were we going to entertain our donors, while they were waiting for their turn to see the building works? Our clever Events and Stewardship Officer hatched a great plan with our dedicated clinicians, so that one group could find out all about resuscitation techniques, via a brilliant demonstration by our intensive care team. And a second group heard all about how Royal Brompton not only offers but is a world leader in the extraordinary ECMO programme – or extra corporeal membrane oxygenation as it’s formally known. This programme provides a last chance intervention, when all other life-saving techniques have been exhausted.

Then the three groups swapped so everyone got a chance to experience everything. It was a brilliant evening and we will run it again, so if you have donated to us in the past and would like to find out more about our special events, which happen at both hospitals, please let us know by emailing [email protected].  

Also in the past couple of weeks, we have said a sad farewell to Sallinder Rai, our fundraiser at Harefield, who has worked so hard and so brilliantly there, but has now gone on to take on an even greater challenge. Sallinder was behind so many of Harefield’s great fundraising events, and was the first port of call for supporters arriving at our busy fundraising office in the hospital. She played a key role in reaching our £1.1m target for the redevelopment of Harefield’s Intensive Care Unit, as well as selling our Charity Harry Hares, processing donations and organising donor tree leaves. We will miss you Sallinder and wish you all the best. 

As summer drew to a close last week, so did our Summer Raffle. Thank you to everyone who bought tickets in aid of our #HeartofPICU Appeal. We are creeping up to our target to help make the reception area on this children’s ward at Royal Brompton far more welcoming for parents.

Finally, I couldn’t go without mentioning exciting plans for our Brompton Quiz, hosted by Clive Anderson, on 22 November at 7pm. Tables of eight are available now! Find out more and secure your table now by clicking here. It’s going to be great. I hope to see you there.