Published on 17 October 2019
A dad whose son was admitted to hospital twice in a year has raised an incredible £11,600 for the ward where he was treated.
DIckie Leitch was so impressed by the dedication of staff on Rainbow Ward at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate that he chose the ward to benefit from an annual charity golf day he organises.
It took place at Canterbury Golf Club on Friday, October 4, with 110 keen players taking part, and extra money raised from sponsorship of holes, plus an auction and a raffle.
Mr Leitch, who runs DL Utilities in Hersden, said: “The staff do a wonderful job at putting a smile on all the children’s faces.
“But when my son Harvey was being treated, first for pneumonia then for suspected meningitis, I noticed things that could have been improved.
“So I spoke to a nurse to see if I could help and decided to raise money to buy new equipment the children could enjoy.”
Ward manager Emma Desmond welcomed Mr Leitch to the ward on Wednesday to thank him for his donation.
She said: “It is a fantastic amount and we hope to use it to buy some innovative interactive play equipment.
“We would like something that can be used in the playroom or on the children’s beds to provide a really immersive experience for the children.”
The money will go to East Kent Hospitals Charity’s Child Health appeal and any left over will be used for iPads and other equipment.
Charity fundraising and development officer Dee Neligan said: “We were delighted when Mr Leitch said he wanted to raise money for Rainbow Ward and overwhelmed to receive the donation.
“It will make a real difference to the experience of children who are treated on Rainbow Ward and we are hugely grateful to everyone who took part in the golf day and all those who donated prizes or sponsored holes.”
The golf day was the eighth annual event in memory of Mr Leitch’s father in law John Solomon.
Mr Leitch thanked Roger Hyder, manager at Canterbury Golf Club, for his help in organising the event.
He also thanked the sponsors: Channel Watches, Howdens Joinery, I&G Contractors, WCB Contractors, Strata Shopfitting Solutions, SN Fabrications, Viking Scaffolding, Premier Diamond Blades, Adeva Windows, Victoria Hotel Canterbury, 3 Planks Ltd, Allbits Whitstable, UK Stone, JD Lifting, Blaze Signs, Elephant Windows, Encade, Casement Signs, Coastal Developments, DL Utilities, and Canterbury Golf Club.
For more information on supporting East Kent Hospitals Charity, see www.ekhcharity.org.uk
