University Hospitals Birmingham Charity and National Grid join forces to launch million-pound coronavirus funding appeal
University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) Charity has joined forces with National Grid’s Ventures business to launch a special appeal to raise £1m to help patients and staff through the coronavirus pandemic.
Solihull-based National Grid Ventures has kick-started the appeal with a £100,000 donation that will be used to purchase almost 400 tablet computers for patients that will allow them to speak to their loved ones while in isolation. The tablets will be distributed to wards across the Queen Elizabeth, Heartlands, Good Hope, Solihull and Nightingale Hospital, which has recently been established at the NEC.
UHB Charity works to provide equipment, research and added extras that are ‘over and above’ that which the NHS provides, helping to improve the hospital experience for millions of patients each year. The UHB NHS Foundation Trust has so far discharged over 1,500 COVID-19 patients from across the West Midlands and is seeking additional funds to pay for a variety of projects from activity packs for isolated patients to reclining chairs for staff rooms, and bereavement boxes for families.
Mike Hammond, Chief Executive of University Hospitals Birmingham Charity, said: “University Hospitals Birmingham Charity supports patients, families and staff by funding equipment, facilities and research across our four hospitals. Each year, we fund over £5 million of added extras thanks to the generous support of our donors and fundraisers.
“The current COVID-19 crisis has presented us with many new challenges and requests for funding from frontline NHS staff, all of which are in addition to our normal £5 million of added extras. Working with National Grid, we have identified the need for £1 million of extra funding to support our NHS Superheroes, and we are delighted that National Grid has given the campaign a massive boost by donating £100,000 towards this target.
“We are very grateful for their support, and for everyone else supporting our NHS Superheroes. Thank you.”
National Grid connects people with the energy they need and is delighted to be able to help connect people to their loved ones at such a critical time. National Grid Ventures’ metering team was also proud to support the establishment of Birmingham’s Nightingale Hospital, working alongside its service partner at Network Plus to prepare the site ready for opening.
Jon Butterworth, Managing Director for National Grid Ventures: "We’re proud to have supported the establishment of the new field hospital and to be taking this further with this appeal, which will raise much needed funds to help local people in their care. You never quite know when you’re going to need the help of the NHS, so now, more than ever, I would encourage everyone to dig deep and show your support for each and every one of the 20,000 staff members who are the lifeblood of these hospitals.”
To show your support for the Trust and donate to the appeal, click here.
