Month: July 2023

New Rehabilitation Garden at Leicester Royal Infirmary Opens Thanks to Generous Fundraising

Rehabilitation garden to support Intensive Care patients and their families

A new rehabilitation garden has been created in the centre of Leicester Royal Infirmary (LRI) to help Intensive Care (IC) patients to access open space and fresh air during their stay, thanks to the generous money raised by families and friends of patients that were treated at the IC unit.

The garden has been designed to allow wheelchairs and hospital beds to access the open spaces and provide a calm and peaceful environment away from the clinical ward.

Leicester Hospitals Charity Funds New Rehabilitation Garden

Zoe Bradley, one of the Senior Sisters on the IC unit, has been the driving force to make the garden a reality.  Zoe worked closely with the Therapy Team to identify ways to improve the quality of rehabilitation the hospital can offer to patients.

Zoe said:
“Gardens like these have proven to have significant mental health and well-being benefits. Rather than it being a place to just sit, I envisioned an area to be used functionally, through raised planters, for patients to be able to actively participate in the use of the space to potentially be involved in making craft in the garden and decorating it for significant events such as religious holidays, national and local celebrations.”

Families and Friends Raise Over £43,000 for New Rehabilitation Garden

Tracey Edwards whose son Ellis was at the IC unit before he passed in February 2021 was at the recent opening of the garden on Wednesday 5 July, Tracey said: “I’m so overwhelmed and emotional to see after two years of fundraising by Ellis’ close friends to have this outside space for ICU patients and their families.

“It’s a visible reminder of all the fundraising effort that everyone has been involved in and somewhere to remember Ellis.”

Ellis White was a patient at Leicester’s General Hospital’s Renal Unit when receiving treatment and care following a kidney transplant and then was cared for by the IC unit at the LRI when he contracted Covid-19.

Family and friends of Ellis raised over £43,000 for Leicester Hospitals Charity through bike rides, London Marathon, and other fundraising activities, which help fund the garden in time for the NHS 75^th Birthday.

Garden Opens on NHS 75th Birthday

Another fundraiser was Andrew Corney who along with his colleagues from PA Housing raised over £3000 in memory of his beloved wife Laila, who was a patient in the IC unit as well.

Andrew said:

“This garden for me is a place I can remember Laila, who I know would have loved this space if it was available.  It’s been emotional to see some of the staff who took care of her.  I am pleased that this space is available for others to enjoy in her memory.”

During the garden opening on the NHS 75^th Birthday Zoe and her colleagues invited guests from patients’ families who have been fundraising and colleagues from the hospital, Zoe was so pleased with the support she said:

“Thank you to everyone involved in making this happen, I’m overwhelmed to see this garden finally here.”

Garden Designed to Improve Mental Health and Well-being of IC Patients

Leicester Hospitals Charity is here to support the ideas of staff and the community who want to give back to Leicester’s Hospitals.  Sunita Patel, Head of Corporate and Community Fundraising said:

“We’re so pleased and grateful for all the gifts we received to make this garden happen. This is a great example of what can be achieved when someone has a great idea that benefits patients’ care.

“We are always keen to hear from our colleagues and the community about their ideas to improve the care they receive when they have their treatment or visit Leicester’s Hospitals. Thanks to the generosity and support we can turn those ideas into reality by implementing changes to spaces available to patients, improving the care they get and bringing some comfort to patients and their families at a time which can be very stressful. There is no doubt that this garden will have an incredibly positive impact on our staff, patients and their families going forward.”

To give a gift today click here or if you have a fundraising idea please get in touch by calling us on 0116 258 8709.

Leicester Hospitals Charity Abseil Raises £34,000 in Fundraising

Friends, family, staff and the community step off the ledge for the Charity

On the weekend (1 & 2 July) 125 daredevils from across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland took part in Leicester Hospitals Charity’s The BIG Abseil event and have raised a massive £34,000 so far of the £35,000 target set to raise money for Leicester’s Hospitals.

125 Daredevils Abseil 100ft Down Leicester Royal Infirmary Wall

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 without any preparation and turned up for their chance to step over the ledge all in the name of charity.

Leicester Charity Abseil Raises Money for Local Hospitals

Rebecca Johnson from Mawsley took on the challenge this year to support Ward 31 at the Glenfield Hospitals who cared for Rebecca’s mum Denise until her passing in May this year.

Ward 31 is where patients recovering from cardiac surgery and Denise spent three months at the Glenfield Hospital. The cleaners to the consultants on ward 31 showed so much kindness, that they all became close friends to Rebecca and her family during her mum’s stay.

Rebecca said:

“The staff showed so much joy and kindness in their work that I can’t even begin to explain how amazing all of them are! I can’t thank them enough for being there not just for my mum but also for the family.”

Manroop Dhillon who works for the Medical Records team at Leicester’s Hospitals took on the wall and raised money for the Spiritual Care Appeal in memory of her mum. The appeal is to help raise money to redevelop existing spaces and to bring a brand-new centre for people of faith and non-faith to access support for their spiritual well-being during their stay or visit to the hospital.

Manroop said:

“I was born in this hospital; I work here, and this was a great opportunity to give back. Faith is a big part of my life, and love, kindness and care make the world go round.

“The appeal to refurbish the existing prayer rooms and spaces at Leicester Royal Infirmary and to build a new chapel will be available for everyone from all walks of life, religions, and beliefs. This is something different and I wanted to raise money for it. It will help patients, my colleagues, and the community to have somewhere for reflection, prayer, and support away from the clinical hospital wards.”

Leading the event was Kamlesh Mistry, Community and Events Fundraising Manager for the Charity and he said:

“It’s been another successful two days, we’re so proud of all the participants, they’ve all done so well. Their strength to do something different to help others is amazing.

“The support for this event has been overwhelming from individuals, families, friends and work colleagues from local businesses all taking part.  Fundraisers have chosen 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.”

Donate to Leicester Hospitals Charity Abseil Fundraiser

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 events page to find out more. 

Support Your Local Charity by Taking Part in a Charity Challenge

The Leicester Hospitals Charity Abseil is just one example of the many charity challenges that take place throughout the year. If you are looking for a way to support your local charity, consider taking part in a charity challenge. There are all sorts of challenges to choose from, including running, cycling, hiking, swimming, and even abseiling!