Give a gift to support our patients and staff this Christmas

The Forever Friends Appeal have today (Monday 9th November) launched a Christmas Appeal inviting the public to help raise funds to ensure patients and their families continue to receive the very best treatment and care at the Royal United Hospitals (RUH) Bath this festive season and beyond.

Although Christmas is likely to be different this year, most people will be celebrating and making memories however there will be many others that will fall ill and need to spend time in hospital. While these people will be away from their families at Christmas, staff at the RUH will continue to be there for them.

Rhyannon Boyd, Head of Fundraising said: "This year has been tough on all of us, especially our patients and staff. The pandemic has shown us just how important our NHS means to us and our services will still be needed at Christmas. For those patients who will be too unwell to return home for Christmas our staff will go to great lengths to give their care, kindness and compassion.

"We are proud of all of our staff. They are truly inspiring people and every day in December we will introduce a staff member on our website and social media channels. We hope people will feel reassured and recognise some of their faces who provide care for patients every day.

"Along with the staff photos we will share their stories. You'll read about the nurses who provide care around the clock, the surgeons who save lives, the therapists who help get us back on our feet, the cleaners who keep our hospital clean and the other dedicated staff who keep our hospital going.

"By making a donation to our RUH Christmas Appeal you will help us make this Christmas as special as it can be for our patients and staff."

Niki Hartley is one of the Senior Sisters who features in the charity's Christmas Appeal. She said: "What makes me prouder than anything is how I see my staff go above and beyond every day. One example was when we had a homeless man on the ward – and one of the staff took his clothes home to wash and iron them for him. That might not seem huge, but to that patient it meant the world. That just shows how much they care.

"My team work so hard. There is no hesitation to provide cover when another staff member is sick, because they know our patients still need to be cared for and we will all be working together on Christmas day."

To show your support for the RUH, the patients and staff this Christmas, you can do so in one of three ways, make a donation online, sponsor a staff Christmas hamper or take part in our 'Keep it Cosy' fundraising day on Wednesday 16 December.

Keep it Cosy has been designed for schools, groups and businesses. There are three cosy-themed virtual events to choose from and the idea is to have some fun with family and friends while staying safe. For a free Keep it Cosy fundraising pack and to make an online donation please visit www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk

The Forever Friends Appeal would also like to ask supporters who have in the past donated gifts to the hospital at Christmas to consider making a donation to the RUH Christmas Appeal instead. With increased infection control measures in place due to COVID-19 unfortunately we are unable to accept gifts such as toys and confectionery for patients and staff this festive season.

ENDS

For more information contact Rebecca Hedges, Marketing and Communications Officer on 01225 826282 or email: Rebecca.hedges@nhs.net

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