August is meant to be a quiet month – a month for planning and tidying. And I’ll give the Charity team credit. There has been a massive clean-up in the office.

But we are now so successful with our merchandise – from gorgeous soft Harefield hares to warm and snuggly sweatshirts – that every nook and cranny in our office is full! Do let us know if you would like any of our merchandise. You can buy it from our online shop or, better still, call in and see our fundraisers at either Royal Brompton or Harefield who have a good supply. You will be helping our cause to support these hospitals in their amazing work.

But while August is supposed to tranquil, it is also a whirlwind of planning our events – stretching as far as next June. In full swing now are plans for our Carol Concerts in both Chelsea and Harefield. The beautiful St Luke's Church, Sydney Street, will host the Royal Brompton Carol Concert and we would love you, our special readers, to come and make the evening very special. So too, will our wonderful Singing for Breathing choir, composed of some of the bravest men and women I have ever met.

This group struggle with respiratory conditions but singing can help, so they come together to take part in the choir and produce beautiful music. Not only is it excellent therapy for the choir members, it also provides great social strength, resulting in firm friendships.

The main big event right now though is the Harefield Fun Run & Family Day. I love this event - and now that it’s in its 35th year, it will be a very moving occasion. Our equivalent of the Race for Life, the day sees runners, joggers and walkers take part often for very special reasons. Perhaps they are former patients who want to celebrate being able to take part, when once such an ambition would have been impossible.

Often the Fun Run includes groups of friends and family marking the life of a loved one. Costumes are worn, and not always just by the two legged participants – dogs have been known to sport Harefield Hospital T shirts! It's a truly great day and it raises a fantastic sum for the hospital. This year, every pound will go to help us build a new Intensive Care Unit at Harefield, which will treat literally thousands of people over the years to come. The Harefield Fun Run is on Sunday September 11th – do come and join us.

And to end, a note about NHS England’s proposed decommissioning of the congenital heart disease services at Royal Brompton. We stand with the Foundation Trust in being absolutely opposed to this proposal. Royal Brompton is a fantastic hospital, which treats patients from the youngest infants through to adulthood. You will be hearing a lot more about the Royal Brompton's opposition to this proposal in the next month.