More than 250 people from local and national businesses came together with NHS staff for Leicester Hospitals Charity’s NHS Heroes Ball last night (Thursday 13 October) to raise over £39,000 to help purchase new neonatal ventilators and other equipment to save countless lives.

The event, hosted by Professor Turi King of the University of Leicester was held at Athena Leicester and paid tribute to the heroic NHS staff who have worked tirelessly to care for patients across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Money was raised through several fundraising activities including live and silent auctions with prizes ranging from a tour of Leicester City Football Club with a signed player shirt to holidays aboard. The money raised on the night will fund brand-new state-of-the-art ventilators.

Dr Jo Behrsin, Consultant Neonatologist, said: “We’re overwhelmed with the generous donation. The Leicester neonatal services have around 1,600 admissions a year and care for some of the smallest and sickest babies. The new equipment will help to save the lives of many babies that struggling to breathe on their own. “A big thank you to everyone who has donated and made the night possible.”

Guests enjoyed live entertainment from Kyle Thomlinson, Adrian Garratt and Mellow Baku while tucking into an exotic three-course Indian meal.

Leicester Hospitals Charity ran the event with Pukaar Group and was supported by Chaiiwala and the University of Leicester, who were headline sponsors. Premier sponsors on the night included local and national companies Kings Real Estate, NTT Data and Anand International.

Vic Sethi from Anand International who was there on the night said: “The staff at Leicester’s Hospitals are true heroes. We all saw how great the NHS was during the Covid-19 pandemic. When the country was in lockdown, the NHS staff worked day and night saving lives. They work so hard and take so much from people.

“I’m so proud of the NHS. The Anand and Sethi family are pleased to sponsor the NHS Heroes Ball this year and continue to support Leicester Hospitals Charity.”

Lisa Davies, Director of Leicester Hospitals Charity, said: “The support from so many businesses and giving so generously was incredibly heart-warming and we are so pleased with all the gifts they have provided. This will go towards helping to care for and save so many babies.”

We’re only days away from Leicester Hospitals Charity’s prestigious event – The NHS Heroes Ball, in association with Pukaar Group. In its second year, the event celebrates the fantastic staff at Leicester’s Hospitals and will once again raise money for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

The charity is bringing together colleagues from across Leicester’s business community to celebrate the amazing staff at Leicester’s Hospitals who provide care across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Lisa Davies, Director of Leicester Hospitals Charity, said: “Everything is coming together for the night and we’re working closely with Pukaar Group to deliver this year’s event, which has already attracted over 200 people.

“On the night we will celebrate and pay tribute to our dedicated and caring hospital staff, while fundraising to replace the ageing ventilators used within the Neonatal Incentive Care Unit. The ventilators help to care for 1,600 babies a year. The money we raise on the evening will help purchase the state-of-the-art equipment to care for newborn babies and give them the best start in life.”

The event has attracted several companies from across Leicestershire, Lisa continues to say: “We’re so pleased to have two local establishments in Leicester, Chaiiwala and the University of Leicester as our joint headline sponsors. We want to thank them and our premiere sponsors Anand International, Kings Real Estate and NTT Data for their continued support.

“We’re so proud of all the companies supporting this event. Even during these difficult times, local businesses are still giving back to the NHS and helping ensure patients, their carers and staff get the best treatment and care at our local hospitals.”

The event is taking place on the evening of Thursday 13 October at the Athena Events Venue in Leicester. You can find out more about the event by clicking here or follow us on social media.

On the weekend 80 people from across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland took part in Leicester Hospitals Charity’s The BIG Abseil event and have raised a massive £23,000 so far.

The BIG Abseil is one of the charity’s extreme events that involve participants abseiling down the 100ft wall on the Windsor Building at Leicester Royal Infirmary. Participants took part on Saturday and Sunday (1 and 2 Oct) without any preparation and turned up for their chance to step over the ledge all in the name of charity.

Elizabeth Cardwell, Training Facilitator at Leicester’s Hospitals took on the wall on Saturday and said: “Being able to give back to Leicester’s Hospitals is always something I’ve wanted to do, but I thought let’s make it interesting and do something a little challenging, so I signed up for The BIG Abseil.

“It always amazes me the way that patients tackle sometimes challenging personal circumstances. When the opportunity came up to help fundraise to support our local hospitals it was something despite my fears I wanted to do.

“Every day I am in awe of how wonderful our patients are and how in particular children approach and deal with life events such as diagnoses and treatment. One little girl called Freya touched my heart and I thought of her among many others as my heart was pounding stepping off the roof.

“It was one of the toughest things I have ever done but with the support of those around me, and the faces of patients in my mind I did it!

“Huge thanks to the charity team for supporting me and for all those who sponsored me. It is true; anything is possible when it comes to facing your fears!”

Leading the event was Kamlesh Mistry, Community and Events Fundraising Manager for the charity and he said: “We’re so proud of all the participants, they’ve all done well over the two days. Standing at the top of the building looking down is quite daunting and then taking that first step to come down can be very scary.

“The support for this event has been overwhelming. All those who took part got to choose which area of the hospital will benefit from the money they’ve raised, and they should be proud of what they’ve achieved. Well done everyone.”

If you would like to fundraise by taking part in up-and-coming events or by organising your own event for Leicester Hospitals Charity, get in touch with Kamlesh and his team on 0116 258 8709 or visit our www.LHCharity.org.uk

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