Sir Doug Ellis, the first Chairman of Good Hope Hospital and former Chairman of Aston Villa Football Club, has kindly donated £10,000 towards Good Hope Hospital Charity’s Children’s Appeal.

Ever since Sir Doug was Chairman at Good Hope Hospital he has always had an interest in knowing what is going on within it. When he was Chairman, he said he always used to make impromptu visits to A&E and sit and share a cup of tea with people who were waiting and also the staff as he felt it was important to be able to talk to staff and patients at all levels.

Sir Doug said: “As Good Hope Hospital is my local hospital I have always taken an interest in what is happening. I have been a patient twice in the last two or three years and received the best possible care from staff at all levels.

“My charitable donations have always been targeted towards the young and as such the hospital charity’s Children’s Appeal struck a chord. It is my way of saying thank you for the care I have personally received whilst at the same time making visits a little bit less daunting by those children needing treatment.”

Good Hope Hospital will see renovations of the children’s outpatients area which treats thousands of children and teenagers every year. The refurbishment will include new walls and floors with friendly decorations, comfortable chairs, a new reception area and a fully refurbished play area. The Charity hopes that the new children’s areas will make visiting the hospital less stressful for children and they will feel more comfortable in their surroundings.

When talking about his choice of appeal for his donation, the Charity asked him what he would say to young people who are being treated at Good Hope Hospital.  He said: “My advice to any young person being treated at Good Hope would be the same as that I always give to any youngster.   It doesn’t matter how bright or talented you might be, if you want to succeed in any walk of life, whether it be as a nurse, doctor or indeed as a famous footballer, there is no substitute for hard work.”

Since Sir Doug’s time as Chairman at Good Hope Hospital, he said he has been pleased to see the hospital develop in many ways, especially with the integrated approach to the treatment of cancer as it is so important.

Laura Power, Fundraising Manager for Good Hope Hospital Charity, said: “I am so happy that Sir Doug chose to make a donation towards the Children’s Appeal here at the hospital. The Charity aims to be able to transform the children’s areas within the hospital and make visits and appointments less daunting and stressful for them.

“All of the money that Sir Doug has donated will go towards ‘added extras’ for the children who have appointments at the hospital every single day. Thank you so much to Sir Doug for his generous donation, it will make such a difference for the children.”

To find out more information about the Children’s Appeal and to donate, please click here. 

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