04 Jan Southend Hospital Charity thanks Essex after record breaking fundraising
Southend Hospital Charity and Charitable Foundation have had a fantastic 2016; they are on track to raise over £1million by the end of the financial year and are due to successfully complete the Keyhole Cancer Appeal in the coming months.
This year also welcomed the launch of Southend Hospital’s Dementia Appeal, which aims to raise £100k to fund multiple projects across the hospital to support patients living with Dementia.
As well as highlights from 2016 – see below – they’ve also had their only personal memorable moments with some amazing local people who have helped raise money for Southend University Hospital.
Elise Fleetwood, Events & Corporate Relations Manager, said: “I have really enjoyed working with Olympus KeyMed in our Charity of the Year partnership this year. Their team of charity champions have been inspirational, they haven’t stopped! They have sky-dived, ran half marathons, washed cars, arranged an afternoon tea for former special care babies/families, taken part in a charity paintball event and organised endless desk and office fundraisers.
“The amazing amount of money they have worked hard to raise – just over £55,000, will make such a big difference to our Neonatal Unit, the area they chose to support. The part of my job I love the most is seeing the final results. The new heart scanner that Olympus KeyMed chose to fund will make so much positive difference to the lives of our future tiny patients and their families.”
And it isn’t just large companies that have raised huge amounts to make a real difference to the lives of others as Kayley Fletcher, Community Fundraising Manager, explained her in her personal choice.
She said: “The best part of my job is meeting so many wonderful people and understanding their personal motivation for supporting our hospital. One particular family is the Bloomfield Family, who have worked tirelessly to raise over £100,000 in memory of their dear wife and mother Janet Bloomfield, who died of cancer nine years ago. Alan and his children have made such a difference to the facilities that are now available within our Oncology Departments and we cannot thank them enough.”
Individuals don’t have to raise huge amounts to make a real difference and someone it is the little things that make just as much a real difference. That is echoed in the personal choice ofLucy Lock, Community Fundraising Officer.
She said: “We recently had a family whose child was looked after by our Neonatal Unit – often referred to as the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) by some parents – and when they had the baby christened they asked for donations to our Neonatal Unit rather than for presents. It’s very inspirational seeing how much the hospital means to some people and I feel very fortunate that I can help supporters make a difference.”
