A £5,000 donation has put The Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s ‘Wheely Big Appeal’ well and truly in motion.
Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, the hospital is now able to buy eight new indoor wheelchairs to help make life easier for patients of all ages who are experiencing mobility problems.
In the opening month of the fundraising campaign, £6,700 has been raised, more than a quarter of the hospital’s £24,000 target.
The campaign is aiming to buy 30 new wheelchairs fitted with sturdy sliding foot rests, fixed IV poles and calf/leg supports for patients to use during their stay in the hospital or when they visit for appointments.
Hospital porters will also benefit from the additional chairs as it will help them when transporting patients around the hospital.
Claire Roberts, associate director of patient experience, said: “It is great to report that the Wheely Big Appeal has got off to a flying start with nearly a third of the target already met.
“With an increasing number of A&E attendances and inpatient admissions it is important that we maintain this momentum and successfully meet our target appeal.
“We are very grateful for the generosity of our early sponsors and hope that this Christmas spirit continues over the coming weeks.
“Finding a wheelchair when you need it makes a big difference to patient experience.”
The hospital is offering a sponsorship scheme to companies, organisations or members of the public. Sponsorship can be for a whole chair - £800, half of a chair or simply for one of the chair’s four wheels.
Each sponsor will benefit from having their logo and name displayed on the chairs.
Duff Morgan in King’s Lynn is just one company who is supporting the appeal. They are offering a £200 discount on new or used cars as well as a £50 donation to charity for each sale they make (offer ending December 24).
If you would like to support the campaign through fundraising events, donations or sponsorships contact Laurence Morlaàs, fundraising executive by emailing laurence.morlaas@qehkl.nhs.uk or call 01553 613373.
You can also donate to the ‘Wheely Big Appeal’ through their JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/qehkl-wheelybigappeal
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