Published on 07 August 2019
The Friends of William Harvey Hospital have launched an Amazon wishlist – and received their first delivery the very next day.
The volunteer group supporting the hospital in Ashford set up their list after a suggestion from a member of the public.
And it is already paying off, with books for the new children’s waiting room in the theatre department the first item to be crossed off the list.
Friends’ manager Jill Barringer said: “We were delighted to receive the package the day after launching our list – it was a wonderful surprise.
“The list allows anyone to buy small items for the wards such as children’s books, wool for our knitters or items for those staying in our neonatal intensive care unit’s flat.
“People can know they are making a real difference by buying an item from the list and it will go directly to benefit our patients and families.”
The Friends also raise money by organising events and working with the community, and were able to fund other items for the waiting room, including toys, shelving, chairs and a football table. The room is also equipped with a television thanks to theatre and day surgery manager Sarah Whibley’s Quids for Kids initiative, which was supported by theatre staff as well as colleagues from other departments.
At their July board meeting the Friends also approved funding for equipment for a range of departments across the hospital including an MRI-compatible infusion pump for babies, which cost £36,000, and six reclining armchairs and six round stools for obstetrics, for £5,626.
Susan Acott, Chief Executive of East Kent Hospitals Trust, thanked the group for their support.
She said: “We are so lucky to have such wonderful support from The Friends. They spend around £350,000 each year to benefit our patients and visitors, which is a fantastic amount that goes directly on items requested by our clinical teams.
“The wish list is an excellent addition and I hope people will take a look and consider buying something for our wards and departments. It makes a real difference to our patients, from helping to make a waiting room more welcoming to creating a homely atmosphere in the flat used by parents whose babies are in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.”
To buy an item from the wish list, click https://amzn.to/2T0iykO
