Hospitals Chief Executive praises participants

Over £1,000 has been raised for Red Nose Day during fundraising activities at Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals.    Food and fun were the key elements of activities organised by ‘First Steps’ Nurseries and ‘Aspects’ Cafes, and a spur of the moment raffle was organised by Secretaries in the Elderly Care Department.

First Steps Nurseries provide child care for children from three months through to five years at both Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals.   At Ashford they organised a book sale; a biscuit and cake sale; an Odd Sock day and a face painting day.   At St. Peter’s there were ‘Wackey Hair’ and Red Toy sensory days.     On Sunday 11th March both nurseries participated in a joint sponsored walk around Virginia Water park and on Friday 16th March both held Red Nose Day parties with red themes.

Sylvia Lyes, Acting Manager at First Steps Nurseries, said: “It’s all in a good cause and was great fun.   Participating is just as important as raising money and we hope that the activities will encourage the young people in our care and their parents to think of others.   We’re thrilled to have raised over £1,000.”

Continuing with the focus on food Aspects Cafés, run by contractor OCS at Ashford and St Peters hospitals held a ‘home made’ cake sales.   Over £100 was raised.      Hotel Services Manager at Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals, Florence Looi, commented: “Staff from both hospitals were able to contribute to Red Nose Day by purchasing the lovely ‘home made’ cakes produced by our contractor OCS, who run the Aspects Cafes.  We are grateful to them for supporting this initiative.”

Elderly Care Secretaries Nicky Saunders and Helen Aitken at St. Peter’s organised a Red Nose Day Raffle and raised an additional £46.  All the more impressive as it was arranged on the spur of the moment the evening before during one of the Department's social events; had some very ‘dodgy’ prizes; and tickets were only sold on the day.

Glenn Douglas, Chief Executive at Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “As part of the local community it is important that we participate in events such as Red Nose Day and show that we recognise that there are others who are worse off than ourselves.    This is a fantastic effort, especially by First Steps Nurseries, who have raised over £1,000 during the course of last week.   Many staff contributed by buying cakes and raffle tickets and I am grateful to everyone who organised and supported the events.”