Barts Guild provides support to St Bartholomew’s Hospital year-round through a dedicated network of volunteers. Their Honorary Secretary Lesley says: “This Christmas, we are sponsoring the Christmas tree in the atrium at St Bartholomew’s Hospital and the lights in the trees in the square, but were keen to do something more personal for the patients. So, when I saw the Barts Charity Christmas Appeal, and particularly that it was being promoted by Doctor Sophie, it occurred to me that we could support this campaign. The Barts Guild Trustees were more than happy to support Barts Charity.
“Sophie looked after my mother in 2018 when she was admitted to The Royal London at the age of 89. She was extremely poorly and in hospital for quite a long time. Sophie was part of the team that looked after my mum and was so kind and thoughtful and so reassuring at a time that was so extremely difficult for mum and the family. For someone who has such responsibility and calls on her time I think she is remarkable and the whole family owe her a debt of gratitude not just for her skills and dedication but for her warmth and kindness.
“Anything that brings some, even slight, relief from the situation that the patients find themselves in is worth doing, particularly at Christmas which can be a very lonely time for so many. For many years Barts Guild has given small individual gifts to Barts Hospital patients, delivered to the ward by a couple of our shop volunteers who are decked out in their Christmas finery! It brings such a sense of fun and excitement to the wards.
“Also, for the past 4 years a few of the Guild Trustees and volunteers have visited the wards on Christmas morning with the shop trolley laden with gifts for the staff and drinks and snacks from the shop for everyone. It’s become a Guild tradition which, unfortunately, we can’t continue this year but hope to be able to resume in 2021.
“£120 provides gifts for a ward, so our donation of £2,760 means that all 23 wards at St Bartholomew’s Hospital will get a gift.”
Lesley’s sister, Sue works for a company who have donated to a number of charities over the years, including to the Guild. This year they have also decided to donate to our Christmas Gift Appeal.
We would like to say a huge thank you to Barts Guild and Sue’s company for this support. If you would like to give a gift for a patient on Christmas Day, please donate now.
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