Our Charity was incredibly moved by all the hundreds of donations we received during the height of the pandemic – all money raised has helped and continues to help our two hospitals, funding vital equipment, research and support for our front line NHS colleagues.

But we haven’t forgotten the thousands of patients who rely on Royal Brompton and Harefield for life-saving operations, care and treatment. Often patients at our two world class hospitals have a life long relationship with the clinicians who work there – heart and lung diseases cannot just be cured or got rid of overnight….bonds between patients and the experienced and skilled staff who look after them can be very strong.

Nowhere is this more apparent than when parents have to bring their babies or children to be treated at Royal Brompton. These young patients, sometimes tiny babies are very poorly when they come to us. Parents are understandably very anxious. The stories of how little lives can be turned around with specialist care are very moving.

One such story is of baby Leo. Leo’s parents are helping us to raise awareness of our new appeal to buy the very latest imaging equipment for an ambition to convert a much used catheter laboratory into a brand new state-of-the-art facility which will go on to treat and restore to health thousands of patients.

Today we are launching our Life in Focus appeal so babies, children, adults - right through to grandparents – will have the benefit of this amazing technology which can take images in seconds so the most detailed diagnosis and treatment can take place is the very best environments.

Karen Shevlin, Theatre and Catheter Lab Service Manager, puts it perfectly: “The new Philips Azurion 7 equipment provides a tailored solution that will meet the challenging needs of our patients and maintain our ability to offer world class treatment. It will provide innovative imaging technology combined with low X-ray doses that will take us into the next decade of treatment for both paediatric and adult patients.”

As we all know, the NHS is brilliant - of course it is – but it is not able to buy every piece of equipment we ever ask for. The support our hospitals have had throughout the covid-19 pandemic has been amazing, both from the NHS and from our generous donors. But life needs to go on for all patients – some of whom have not even been born yet but if they need the best possible care and treatment, then Royal Brompton will be there for them – with your help.

Our Charity – your Charity – is not just there for the pandemic – it is there for all times and right now, we really do want to buy this world class technology. Please go to our website and give a donation – every gift helps us towards our goal, and with your support, this amazing equipment will be in place just when we need it most.