Category: Latest News

The Big Pledge Weekend is back for the third year running, aiming to bring the community of Leicester together to support patients, their carers and staff at Leicester’s hospitals. Taking place from Friday 6 March to Monday 9 March 2026, the four-day fundraising event organised by Leicester Hospitals Charity aims to raise vital funds for the Parent Facilities Appeal, which supports parents of critically ill children being cared for in the Children’s Intensive Care Unit (CICU) at the Leicester Royal Infirmary (LRI).

This year’s event has an ambitious target of £40,000, which will go towards expanding facilities and refurbishing overnight facilities for parents. These improvements will help ensure families can remain close to their children during some of the most challenging moments of their lives.

The appeal is supported by parents like Michelle, whose daughter Evie spent 46 days in intensive care at Leicester Royal Infirmary. “When my baby girl Evie was rushed into intensive care, my world fell apart,” Michelle said.

“We spent Christmas and her first birthday by her bedside, unsure if she’d survive. The doctors and nurses were incredible, but the parent facilities were limited. Many nights, I slept on a fold-out bed and had no private space to rest or gather my thoughts. That’s why I’m supporting this appeal, to help improve facilities for parents facing what I did.”

Sunita Patel, Head of Charity, said: “Our Big Pledge Weekend always shows the generosity of the community and what we can achieve when we come together for a common cause.

“Parents in the CICU face the toughest of times, and the facilities around them matter more than people may realise. By improving our parent facilities at the LRI, we aim to offer more comfort, dignity and reassurance at a time when families need it most.

“It’s been great to see the generous support and donations already coming in for this appeal, and we are looking forward to making great things happen for our parents and families thanks to the Big Pledge Weekend.”

On Saturday 7 March, supporters can tune into Ramadan FM, where the charity will host a special Pledge Day, encouraging listeners to get involved and support the appeal. Donations made during Ramadan hold special significance, and the day will highlight the power of collective generosity.

Throughout the weekend, supporters will also be able to visit the pledge points across Leicester, including Ramadan Radio FM on Evington Road and Haymarket Shopping Centre, where they can learn more about the appeal and donate in person.

Funds raised will support much-needed improvements on CICU, including:

  • Refurbishing existing parent bedroom spaces
  • Creating a new dedicated 24-hour parent lounge with a kitchenette for parents to prepare hot
  • drinks and have a break away from the ward
  • Providing essential privacy during an incredibly difficult time
  • Offering dignity, comfort and proximity to their child’s bedside

The charity is also hoping to secure match funders to help maximise impact, so that all donations made during the appeal will be doubled at no extra cost to supporters, meaning a £50 gift becomes £100 and goes twice as far in supporting families. If you would like to be a match funder, please get in touch with Leicester Hospitals Charity.

Community groups, individuals and businesses are welcome to join us this Big Pledge Weekend by organising their own fundraising activities. Please get in touch for a fundraising pack and support to set up a fundraising page as part of the campaign.

For more information, to donate, or to get involved, click here.

Leicester Hospitals Charity is proud to support Jordan Black, a father undertaking an extraordinary 108-mile run from Friday, 30 January to Saturday, 31 January.  Jordan will be retracing the journey his daughter Aurora took through three major hospitals during her short life.
Jordan, 37, will begin his challenge at Leicester Royal Infirmary at 12 pm, before running to Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham, then on to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and finally finishing at a memorial close to his home, just outside of Coventry. The route mirrors the path Aurora travelled as clinicians across the region worked tirelessly to diagnose and treat her rare abdominal tumour in late 2020.
At 38 weeks pregnant, Jordan’s wife Kathleen felt that something wasn’t quite right and went for tests. A scan revealed a mass on Aurora’s stomach, prompting urgent referrals to the foetal medicine team at Leicester Royal Infirmary.  Aurora was born on 24 November 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Both Jordan and Kathleen spent only moments with Aurora following her birth as she was rushed off to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to receive an MRI, ultrasound and X-rays.
Intensive investigations into what the mass was were conducted in Leicester and Nottingham. A biopsy revealed an extremely rare tumour: Intra-abdominal pericytoma. Aurora was transferred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital on Christmas Day as her condition worsened. Despite every effort, her condition deteriorated, and she passed away peacefully with her parents on 31 January 2021.
Jordan describes the run as an “emotional pilgrimage”, returning to the hospitals where his daughter was cared for. Running became a vital part of his healing process, helping him manage grief and protect his mental health. He now shares his journey openly through his Instagram page, It’s Why I Run, encouraging others, especially men, to speak honestly about trauma, loss, and wellbeing.
This year, Jordan felt ready to take on the full challenge in one continuous effort, having previously run the accumulated distance over a period of a month. Supported by friends, a running coach, and a growing online community, he hopes the run will raise awareness and vital funds for the NICU at Leicester Hospitals, the NICU at Queens Medical Centre, The Birmingham Children’s Hospital, The Lily Mae Foundation and Hallie’s Hideaway.
Jordan said: “This run is my way of honouring Aurora and retracing the journey she took in her short but meaningful life. It’s emotional, of course, but it’s also a reminder of the love, care and dedication shown by the teams who tried everything for her. Running has helped me through the darkest moments of grief, and if sharing my story can help even one other person feel less alone, then it’s worth every mile.”
Sunita Patel, Head of Charity at Leicester Hospitals Charity, said: “Jordan’s story is incredibly moving, and his strength in turning unimaginable loss into something that inspires and supports others is remarkable. We are honoured that he is choosing to begin this journey at Leicester Royal Infirmary, where Aurora’s story began and that our NICU department will receive a share of the fundraising to benefit other patients in a similar situation as Jordan and his family. Our team will be there to cheer him on, and we are deeply grateful for his commitment to helping other families and raising awareness about the wonderful work of our NHS.”
The Leicester Hospitals Charity team will be present at the start line with a small send-off to support Jordan as he begins the challenge.
How to Support
Donations to Jordan’s fundraising can be made via his social media page, It’s Why I Run, where updates on the challenge will also be shared throughout the day or visit his fundraising page – https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jordan-black-auroras-run

Tom Hunt has completed an extraordinary endurance challenge, running an incredible 850 miles the length of the UK in just 21 days. Averaging 40 miles a day, the equivalent of one and a half marathons every single day since 1 December. Tom has shown exceptional determination in support of his local NHS hospital and has so far raised over £19,400.
Tom took on the challenge to raise vital funds for the Leicester Hospitals Charity Parent Facilities Appeal, which aims to transform parent accommodation within the Children’s Intensive Care Unit at Leicester Royal Infirmary. The appeal will help to create private, comfortable spaces and to improve the existing overnight accommodation for parents of critically ill children, so that families can remain close to their loved ones during their stay in the hospital.  It will ensure families have somewhere to go to away from the bedside but remain close during the most challenging moments of their lives.
The motivation behind Tom’s challenge was deeply personal. A passionate advocate for fitness and wellbeing, Tom has long believed in using physical challenges to make a positive impact. Having seen firsthand how important family presence is when his niece required care at Leicester Children’s Hospital, he was determined to give back in a meaningful way.
Tom said, “The whole journey has been amazing. The running and fundraising is me giving back to Leicester’s Hospitals.  Showing my thanks and support for all the work they do.  I’ve inspired myself, and I hope this inspires others as well.”
Sunita Patel, Head of Charity at Leicester Hospitals Charity, praised Tom’s achievement, saying:
“Tom’s accomplishment is nothing short of extraordinary. Completing a challenge of this scale requires immense resilience and commitment, and the impact of his efforts will be felt by families who rely on being close to their children during incredibly difficult times. We are extremely grateful to Tom and to everyone who has supported him along the way.”
DGM colleagues

Tom’s challenge was proudly supported by his colleagues at DGM Builders Ltd, who sponsored all travel and accommodation costs to ensure that every penny raised goes directly to the Parent Facilities Appeal.  The team also rallied the NHS staff, other contractors to take part in a treadmill challenge to run alongside Tom during the final week of Tom’s challenge.

The DGM Team said, “DGM as a company has worked with the hospitals on different projects, and the team has seen for themselves what a difference good facilities can make for families needing to spend a lot of time there.”
“We are all so proud of Tom’s dedication and the incredible challenge he has taken on to raise money for an amazing charity.”
Tom has been overwhelmed by the encouragement and generosity shown by the local community throughout the challenge and hopes his achievement will continue to raise awareness and support for the appeal.
To support Tom’s fundraising efforts, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/tom-dgm-1

Leicester Hospitals Charity, official charity of University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) are proud to partner with Leicester City Football Club to deliver support, celebration and festive cheer for local patients, families and NHS colleagues across Leicester’s Hospitals.

Over the weekend, Leicester Hospitals Charity was the chosen charity and featured on the front of shirts as the main sponsor during Leicester City’s men’s and women’s fixtures at King Power Stadium. The men’s first team took on Ipswich Town, while the women faced London City Lionesses.  The Charity took the opportunity with the Club to raise awareness and vital funds for their Parent Facilities Appeal.

The appeal will help create private, comfortable spaces for parents of critically ill children to remain close to their loved ones in Leicester Royal Infirmary’s Children’s Intensive Care Unit.  This will ensure families have somewhere to go to away from the bedside but remain close during the most challenging moments of their lives. Match-worn and signed shirts from both fixtures are being auctioned, with all proceeds going directly towards this appeal.

Following the weekend’s matches, Leicester City’s men’s first-team players visited Leicester Children’s Hospital on Wednesday 17 December, bringing festive cheer to young patients, their families and hospital staff. Joined by Filbert Fox, the players delivered Christmas gifts, shared smiles and spent time on the wards talking to parents, young patients and staff, creating moments of joy and excitement during the festive period.

The visit was uplifting for patients, families and NHS staff, whose dedication continues throughout the Christmas period.

Leicester City captain Ricardo Pereira said: “Visits like this are always incredibly special for us. To be able to spend some time with the children, their families and the brilliant hospital staff, particularly at this time of year, is a real privilege.

“If we can help bring a few smiles and provide a positive distraction, even for a short time, it’s a powerful reminder of why these visits matter.”

Sunita Patel, Head of Charity at Leicester Hospitals Charity, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Leicester City Football Club for their continued support and the opportunities that our longstanding partnership gives us. From the visibility as the chosen charity during the weekend’s matches to the men’s first team visit, this partnership has helped raise awareness about our appeal and vital funds, while also bringing joy, comfort and smiles to patients, families and staff during the festive period.”

Simon Barton, Deputy Chief Executive of University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, said: “The visit from Leicester City Football Club was a wonderful boost for our patients and staff. Seeing the joy on the children’s faces brought smiles and festive cheer to the wards, reminding everyone of the incredible support from our local football club. This is more than a visit – it’s a partnership that brings hope and happiness to our community.”

To find out more about the Parent Facilities Appeal and how you can support families at Leicester’s hospitals, click here.

We’re proud to announce that this weekend, Leicester City Football Club is showcasing their long-standing support for Leicester Hospitals Charity, with both men’s and women’s teams wearing special edition shirts for fixtures against Ipswich Town and London City Lionesses.

This powerful show of support for a cause that has been close to the Club’s heart for many years will shine a light on the incredible work of Leicester Hospitals Charity, who support Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester General Hospital and Glenfield Hospital to provide the best possible care for patients, families and colleagues across our region.

The partnership will support the Charity’s Parent Facilities Appeal, helping to create private, comfortable spaces for parents of critically ill children to remain close to their loved ones, ensuring families have the emotional support they need during the most challenging moments of their lives.

Funds raised by the Club and supporters during this weekend’s double-header of fixtures at King Power Stadium will help to improve facilities on the Children’s Intensive Care Unit at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Leicester City Chairman, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, said: “Leicester Hospitals Charity has been a vital part of our community for many years, and we are proud to stand alongside them once again this weekend.

 “Their work touches the lives of families across our region at some of their most difficult and vulnerable moments, offering comfort, care and vital support when it is needed most.

 “Wearing their name on our shirts is a powerful reminder of the responsibility we share to help those who care for us.”

As part of the launch of the special edition shirts, Luke Thomas and Sam Tierney visited the LRI, where they met with staff to celebrate the partnership and learn more about the appeal.

Following the games, supporters will have the opportunity to get their hands on the special edition shirts, with match-worn and signed versions set to be auctioned and all proceeds going to Leicester Hospitals Charity.

Luke Thomas and Sam Tierney launched the special edition shirts with Louise Evans (Head of Nursing at Leicester Children's Hospital) and Simon Barton (Deputy Chief Executive at UHL)
Luke Thomas and Sam Tierney launched the special edition shirts with Louise Evans (Head of Nursing at Leicester Children’s Hospital) and Simon Barton (Deputy Chief Executive at UHL)

Deputy Chief Executive at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Simon Barton (pictured left), said:

“The Club’s long-standing partnership and continued generosity make a real difference to our communities, and we are extremely grateful for their support in raising awareness and funds for our Parent Facilities Appeal.

“The appeal is very important to us to help to create private, comfortable spaces at our hospitals for parents of critically ill children so they can remain close to their loved ones.”

Last May, at a home game against Southampton, the Blue Army came together to raise several thousand pounds for Leicester Hospitals Charity, while further funds from Season Ticket sales helped fund cutting-edge neonatal technology at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

This fixture saw us celebrate a 10-year partnership with Leicester City Football Club, a milestone that marked a decade of powerful community impact and life-changing support for patients and families across Leicestershire and beyond.

Head of Charity for Leicester Hospitals Charity, Sunita Patel, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Leicester City for once again choosing to support us. Our longstanding partnership reflects a shared commitment to achieving the very best for our city.

 “Having both the men’s and women’s teams wear our charity logo is a powerful show of support, and I know it will mean so much to our patients and the families we care for at our hospitals. The campaign will make a real difference as we raise funds for our Parent Facilities Appeal, helping us create better spaces for parents to stay close to their critically ill children.

 “To everyone at the Club, and to the fans who always show such incredible generosity for our hospitals, thank you. Your support will help us provide comfort and dignity for families at the toughest moments in their lives.”

Leicester Hospitals Charity exists to support patients, their carers and the NHS staff who look after them in Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland and beyond.

To donate £10 to support Leicester Hospitals Charity ahead of this weekend’s games, please text 10LCFC to 70085.

Please click here for further details about our Parent Facilities Appeal.

Leicester Hospitals Charity is delighted to announce that its flagship corporate fundraising challenge, Boss Break Out, has once again smashed expectations, raising more than £30,500 in support of the Parent Facilities Appeal in just a few hours.

The third annual event, held on Wednesday 12 November was made possible by the venue partner Davidsons Homes, who generously allowed the Charity the use of one of their show home in Thurmaston.

The event saw nine of Leicester’s leading business figures “locked away” and tasked with raising at least £1,000 each to earn the right to leave. Participants stepped out of their comfort zones to leverage their networks, rally their teams, and call in favours to generate vital funds that will help improve accommodation and facilities for parents who need to stay close to their children while they receive hospital care.

The funds raised will directly support the Parent Facilities Appeal, which aims to create comfortable, welcoming spaces for parents who spend long periods in hospital alongside their children. Families like Michelle’s, whose daughter Evie spent 46 days at the Children’s Intensive Care Unit at Leicester’s Hospital, know first-hand how vital it is for parents to remain close by during such difficult times. Her experience highlights the urgent need for better, more private facilities, ensuring parents can stay near their children without added stress or discomfort.

This year’s record-breaking participants were:

  • Minesh Solanki, Franchise Partner and Co-Founder of Commture 365
  • Dav Mahet, Managing Director of TML Solicitors
  • Bhumika Parmar, Founder and Director of BP Legal
  • Dean Cross, Centre Manager of Haymarket Shopping Centre
  • Stacey Wragg, Managing Director of Voyager Immersive
  • Nadia Faki, Partner from Nelsons Solicitors
  • Rajee Pattni, Franchise Owner and Director of Elite Printing, Alita Creative and InXpress Logistics
  • Jake Karia, Founder and CEO of Food Attraction and Jake & Nayns
  • Naynesh Karia, Operations Director from Food Attraction and Jake & Nayns

 

Leicester Hospitals Charity Team with the participants of Boss Break Out 2025
Leicester Hospitals Charity Team with the participants of Boss Break Out 2025

Among the standout fundraisers on the day was Minesh Solanki, Franchise Partner and Co-Founder of Commture 365 (fourth from right), who raised over £16,000, setting a new record for the event.

“I’m overwhelmed by the generosity and support I received,” said Minesh Solanki. “By working closely with my network, contacts, family, and friends, we were able to achieve something truly special. It shows the power of giving when people come together for a cause that matters, and I’m proud to have played a part in helping families stay close to their children during difficult times.”

Sunita Patel, Head of Leicester Hospitals Charity, praised the collective effort:

“Boss Break Out has become a highlight of our fundraising calendar. This year’s event has raised a record-breaking total, and it couldn’t come at a more important time. Families with critically ill children in our hospitals deserve better spaces to rest and stay close to their loved ones. Leicester’s business leaders have stepped up in an extraordinary way, and we’re incredibly grateful for their dedication and generosity. They were supported by an incredibly generous network of friends, family and colleagues, which is a testament to Leicester’s supportive business community.”

For more information on the appeal and to read Michelle’s full story click here.

You can view the amount raised by each participant by clicking here.

L to R Sunita Patel, Head of Charity at Leicester Hospitals Charity, with Dav Mahet and Asiya Parekh, Corporate Fundraising Officer at Leicester Hospitals Charity
L to R Sunita Patel, Head of Charity at Leicester Hospitals Charity, with Dav Mahet and Asiya Parekh, Corporate Fundraising Officer at Leicester Hospitals Charity

On Saturday 16 August, brave fundraisers from across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland took part in Leicester Hospitals Charity’s annual BIG Abseil event, raising over £16,000 towards the Parent Facilities Project at Leicester Children’s Hospital.

Team CICU The BIG Abseil saw participants descend down the 100ft wall of the Windsor Building at Leicester Royal Infirmary. From staff members to community supporters, fundraisers and businesses turned up ready to face their fears, all to help create better facilities for parents and carers whose children are being treated in the CICU at LRI.

All funds raised will support the current project looking to improve parent facilities at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, helping to create calm, private spaces for families with a child in intensive care. Because when a child is seriously ill, keeping families close matters most.

Among those taking part were members of our own Children’s Intensive Care Unit (CICU) team, including Louise Evans, Head of Children’s Nursing at Leicester’s Hospital, who despite her fear of heights bravely joined her colleagues on the ropes to raise money for the project. This is just one of many examples of how passionate our staff are about

supporting patient families, both inside and outside of their day-to-day roles.

On behalf of the Leicester Hospitals Charity Team and UHL a big thank you goes out to all the staff and fundraisers from across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland who took part in this year’s Big Abseil event.

If you would like to take part in a future challenge for Leicester Hospitals Charity, or set up your own fundraiser, please contact the team on 0116 258 8709 or visit our events page for more information.

This May, Leicester Hospitals Charity is proudly celebrating a decade of partnership with Leicester City Football Club (LCFC). The milestone marks 10 years of powerful community impact and life-changing support for local patients.

As one of four charities chosen to feature during the 2024/25 season by the Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation, the charity will take centre stage at the King Power Stadium on Saturday 3 May, when Leicester City face Southampton in a game dedicated to supporting the work of Leicester Hospitals Charity.

The charity and volunteers will be outside the stadium before and after the match engaging with fans and visitors about the campaign, which is hoping to raise £20,000 to support cutting-edge neonatal technology at the Leicester Royal Infirmary.

LCFC have been close supporters of Leicester’s Children’s Hospital over the years and this season the club and the charity have partnered to give big for little hearts. Funds raised over the month will enhance the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with the addition of state-of-the-art equipment to benefit the most vulnerable patients, their families and staff.

Sunita Patel, Head of Charity at Leicester Hospitals Charity, said:

“We are incredibly proud to be part of this season’s charity programme at King Power Stadium. The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation and Leicester City Football Club have been true partners over the past decade — not just in spirit, but in action. We are so incredibly grateful for the ongoing support from the VS Foundation and LCFC”

“Leicester’s Hospitals are committed to transforming patient care and staff working at the Neonatal Unit can do just that with the help of state-of-the-art technology such as a portable heart scanner and a 4D imaging probe. Through the partnership with VS Foundation and LCFC we aim to raise £80,000 this May.  An incredible £60,000 has already been raised by Leicester City’s season ticket holders earlier in the season, so we are feeling positive about reaching our target with support from visitors and fans over the month of May”

The funds raised will help purchase a state-of-the-art bedside scanner, offering faster and more precise diagnostics for premature and seriously ill babies.

This vital equipment will not only improve clinical outcomes but also provide reassurance and comfort to families during some of their most challenging moments.

Families such as Tony and their twins Isabelle and Jack,  who were born at 24 weeks and cared for at the NICU at LRI Hospital, are backing the campaign. As the twins turn 10 this year, the family are raising awareness about the vital care provided through the NICU to show their gratitude to the staff who provided a lifeline for them all during a critical time in their lives.

A Legacy of Impact — A Vision for the Future

Richard Mitchell, Chief Executive at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, said:

“As two anchor institutions at the heart of our city, we know that when we work together, we can make great things happen. The funding received through this campaign will help to transform care for some of our most vulnerable patients and allow us to invest in the latest state-of-the-art equipment.

At UHL, our vision is to be a leader in healthcare and trusted by the communities we serve and this partnership exemplifies that ambition. I would like to wholeheartedly thank the club and their supporters for helping us improve lives.”

Leicester City Chief Executive, Susan Whelan, said:

“We’re incredibly proud to continue our longstanding partnership with Leicester Hospitals Charity, especially as we mark a decade of working together. Through The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation, we’re committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of our community, and this partnership holds a very special place in our hearts. With the support of our fans and the generosity of the VS Foundation, we hope to help deliver life-saving technology to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, ensuring the very best care for patients and their families.”

For more information, to get involved, or to make a donation, please visit: https://leicesterhospitalscharity.org.uk/campaigns/lcfc/

Leicester Hospitals Charity’s Big Pledge Weekend was a success with the communities of Leicester coming together to raise £41,000 for a new ultrasound scanner for the Cardiac Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (CPICU) at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Leicester Hospitals Charity is delighted to announce that this year’s Big Pledge Weekend has successfully raised an incredible £41,000 over the course of four days, thanks to the generosity of Leicester’s community. The funding will enable the purchase of a state-of-the-art ultrasound scanner for CPICU at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

The new scanner will allow medical staff to perform high quality real-time imaging at the bedside of young patients with cardiac conditions, making it possible for critical decisions to be made with greater accuracy. By assisting clinicians in locating delicate veins and assessing cardiac function, the scanner will enhance patient outcomes and provide reassurance to families during challenging times.

Sunita Patel, Head of Charity at Leicester Hospitals Charity, said, “We are absolutely thrilled to announce that our Big Pledge Weekend has raised an incredible £41,000 to help fund a new ultrasound scanner for the CPICU. This achievement is a testament to the generosity of our wonderful donors and the dedication of our partners who came together to make a real difference. 

Whether you made a gift, visited one of our stalls over the weekend, or simply spread the word through your networks, your support has helped make this year’s Big Pledge Weekend our most successful to date. Thanks to you, children in our hospitals will receive even better care with the latest technology at their bedsides and families will be able to feel more reassured that we have additional equipment to hand for their loved ones. On behalf of the charity, patients and staff at the University Hospitals of Leicester, thank you for giving big for little hearts.” 

Dr. Pompa Kukreja, Consultant, Clinical lead for Paediatric Intensive Care, added, “This ultrasound scanner will make a huge difference to the patients we treat. Thank you so much to everyone who supported Leicester Hospitals Charity. On behalf of myself and the team on the ward, we are deeply grateful for your generosity. Your support will make a significant impact on Leicester’s youngest patients. Thank you for standing with us and making a real difference- I am truly touched by the community support shown.” 

To learn more about our work and the impact you can make, please visit https://leicesterhospitalscharity.org.uk/impact-stories/. 

Leicester Hospitals Charity is proud to announce the opening of a new, state-of-the-art helipad at the Glenfield Hospital.

This exciting development has been made possible thanks to a generous donation of more than £288,000 from the HELP Appeal – a charity dedicated to funding NHS hospital helipads.

Designed with a larger landing area to accommodate modern air ambulances and advanced lighting systems for nighttime landings, the new helipad will facilitate quicker and smoother emergency transfers to specialist departments, improving patient outcomes.

From left to right, Grace Broughton, Becky Cassidy, Hayley Lyon, Ian Julier, Matt Smith, and Robert Bertram cut the ribbon.

Grace Broughton, Capital Project Manager at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL), said: “We are fortunate to have a helipad at the Glenfield Hospital site, which was generously funded many years ago by our local charity partner HeartLink.

“When the HELP Appeal approached us about making upgrades in order to bring the existing facilities in line with the latest regulations and standards, we were delighted and grateful for their commitment to fund the whole project. It’s meant that we are able to ensure the highest level of care and safety for both patients and colleagues.”

The upgraded helipad is a vital part of the Trust’s commitment to providing top-tier emergency healthcare to the most critically ill patients in the East Midlands.

Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal, said: “Our supporters have been instrumental in making this project a reality. Their donations have ensured this helipad is meeting today’s standards, continuing to improve patient outcomes by enabling quick and safe transfers to and from the hospital in critical situations when time is of the essence.”

The new Glenfield Hospital helipad, which is likely to see around 40 landings each year, is the HELP Appeal’s first hospital helipad to open in 2025.

Sunita Patel, Head of Charity at Leicester Hospitals Charity, added: “We are incredibly grateful to the HELP Appeal and everyone involved in making this fantastic new helipad a reality.

“It’s thanks to the generous support of partner charities such as the HELP Appeal, that we’re able to make great things happen for UHL Together we are bringing vital improvements to healthcare facilities and ensuring the best possible care for patients in Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland and the East Midlands.”

If you would like to be involved in making great things happen please get in touch today!

Sign up for our newsletter

Get the latest news, events and offers

This will close in 0 seconds