The East Kent Hospital Charity launches 2023 fundraising events
Multiple fundraising events have been set up by The East Kent Hospital Charity to appeal to more people to take on a fundraising event in the Kent community.
The hospitals are trying to raise money to enhance hospital environment across Kent and Canterbury, William Harvey, QEQM, Buckland and Royal Victoria, all hospitals under East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust.
Their ‘Wing Walk’ event was launched at the beginning of the month and almost all the places have already been booked. The charity is thrilled with the support so far but is appealing for more people to raise money for them during a challenging time for the NHS.
Dee Neligan, Senior Charity Officer for East Kent Hospitals Charity said: “The hospitals don’t stop and there is a huge amount of pressure on hospital services at the moment.”
One of their recent events involved people acting like ‘Santa Claus’ by accessing their Amazon wishlist to provide toys and games for the children’s wards. Neligan said: “We get an enormous amount of donations from our Amazon wish list, so there were lots of toys and games for the poorly children who were scared because they’re in hospital, they’re bored, and they need to be distracted.”
Donations can also go towards NHS staff through the ‘Helping Your Hospitals Appeal,’ to provide wellbeing for staff at this difficult time and provide vital equipment.
Due to the current cost-of-living crisis, the hospital has noticed a decline in their donations, but encourages people to come and fundraise for the hospitals during a challenging time.
Neligan said: “Although we are technically not in recession, people are really struggling… We had enormous support during covid, so many people donated to their NHS which was phenomenal because we really needed it at that time.”
Hence, the charity is offering a wide range of events that people can take part in to encourage more fundraising.
Speaking on behalf of the East Kent Hospitals Charity, she said: “Raising money or giving money is such a personal thing to do, and I don’t want anyone to feel we shrug our shoulders and take it for granted, we don’t take it for granted, what people do is amazing.”
If you are interested in taking part in an event, contact details can be found on the East Kent Hospitals Charity website at https://www.ekhcharity.org.uk/get-involved/fundraise/fundraising-events/.
Image: A garden for patients, visitors, and staff outside the main entrance of the hospital built with fundraising donations
