ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, the National Charity of the British Army, has donated £10,000 to Fisher House, the home away from home for military patients and their families at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, continuing their kind sponsorship of the Wellington Room.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham is home to the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine – the primary receiving unit for all British military patients from overseas. In addition to operational casualties, the centre takes routine military referrals from across the United Kingdom and cares for non-operational casualties from around the world.

For the families of wounded, injured and sick soldiers, their first thought is often to get to Birmingham as quickly as possible, with little thought given to where they will stay. To alleviate the pressure, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity opened Fisher House – an onsite ‘home away from home’ where military families can stay, free of charge, while their loved ones receive treatment.

Since 2016, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity has provided an annual grant of £10,000 to sponsor one of Fisher House’s 18 rooms. This room – named the Wellington Room – provides a safe space within walking distance of the hospital, where families can adjust, relax and spend time with their loved ones away from the wards.

Fisher House has a strong emphasis on communal living. Facilities include a family room and play area, lounge, cinema room, dining areas and laundry room. The kitchen is kept stocked with essential provisions such as tea, coffee and bread, and all families also have access to personal cupboard and fridge space to help them feel at home.

Justine Davy, Head of Fundraising for QEHB Charity, said: “Our thanks go to ABF The Soldiers’ Charity for its grant of £10,000 which will help us to provide military families with the very best experience at Fisher House whilst their loved ones are being treated.

“Fisher House costs £250,000 per year to run, and we rely on the generosity of charities and donors to allow us to provide this amazing service to our military patients and families. Since opening in 2013, Fisher House has provided free accommodation for over 4,300 people, amounting to over 23,000 nights. This has taken away a huge financial burden for countless families over the years, and will continue to do so into the future, with thanks to ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.”

Brigadier (Ret’d) Robin Bacon, Chief of Staff at ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, says: “QEHB Charity’s Fisher House is a true ‘home away from home’ for military families, providing a place of respite and security while their loved ones receive treatment. We are proud to renew our sponsorship of the Wellington Room and hope it will continue to provide a safe haven for families in times of need. Our heartfelt thanks to QEHB Charity for the tremendous work they do.”

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