Southampton Hospital Charity announces its Red & White Appeal Day 2012, on Friday 9 March. With nine weeks to go until Appeal Day, the charity hopes that local people will continue to support the Red & White Appeal| to make the state of the art day unit a reality for blood cancer patients across the region.
Whilst the local community has been busy raising funds for the project, the hospital team have also been working behind the scenes to ensure every penny raised is spent wisely.
Clinicians are delighted that the original planned cost of £2.2million for the project has been reduced to £1.76million after plans have been reviewed to ensure that the hospital is getting the best value for money for the project, maximising use of space within the unit and with a smarter building design and working patterns for staff. New clinic hours will also be much more convenient for patients who have returned to work.
Joan Newman, Bone Marrow Transplant Clinical Nurse Specialist said, “All of these changes will ensure that the original Red & White Appeal brief is fulfilled and the best possible care can be provided. We hope that with the revised target, the Appeal can be brought to a close as quickly as possible, bringing much-needed facilities to this patient group.”
The new day unit will create an oasis of calm for patients with shared social areas and also private rooms to aid privacy and dignity. A new design for a courtyard which patients will be able to view means that the area will be flooded with natural light, helping to boost morale and spirits of patients receiving their ongoing treatments.
Veryan Grant, Director of Southampton Hospital Charity said, “With our determination to provide the very best care for patients at Southampton General Hospital, we are delighted to have made plans for the new day unit even better, providing the best possible environment and helping patients to get back to normality during their follow up treatment.
Veryan continued, “Donations are so valuable and we are keen to ensure that every single penny goes towards enhancing patient care. With the support of the city and region it is vital that we now work together to push for the new fundraising goal.”
“A special Red & White Appeal Day will be held on Friday 9 March and we hope that people will join in with fundraising on this day to support patients who really need your help. Anyone can get affected by blood cancer and it is important that we all do our bit for our hospital.”
Thanks to the support of individual donors, groups, communities and local businesses over £1million has been raised for the Red & White Appeal and with a revised target of £1.76million, the charity is calling on supporters to rally together to help raise the remaining money in 2012.
What could you do on Red & White Appeal Day on Friday 9 March?
Could you take to the skies with a tandem parachute jump? Spaces are available on Thursday 8 March and Saturday 10 March for participants to raise sponsorship for the Red & White Appeal. Email suzie.simmons@uhs.nhs.uk| to book your place. If this is not your cup of tea and you would prefer something a little more down to earth, why not organise a coffee morning?
Southampton Hospital Charity is also calling for supporters to organise their own fundraising activities on 9 March, encouraging local businesses to support the day with a red and white themed dress down day, cake sale or by having a collection for loose change. Community groups, schools and colleges are encouraged to host lunches, raffles or sponsored activities, all in aid of the Red & White Appeal.
Alternatively supporters can text ‘ALAN10 £5’ to 70070 to donate £5 to the Red & White Appeal.
Let us know how you will be fundraising for Red & White Appeal Day and our fundraising team will be happy to support you. Call Southampton Hospital Charity on 023 8079 8881 or email charity@uhs.nhs.uk| to speak to Suzie or Amy about the Red & White Appeal and to request your fundraising pack
Posted on Friday 6 January 2012