Thanks to donations from the Milton Keynes community, Milton Keynes Hospital Charity has met its Big Give Christmas Challenge target for 2021.
Their entry into the Big Give Christmas Challenge – an annual, national matched funding challenge– had an initial target of raising £7,900 in just one week. In total an incredible £8,500 was raised between November 30 and December 7, with more than 40 people making a donation.
One of those donors – who’s gift pushed the charity over the target amount – was locally-based care provider PJ Care.
Neil Russell, Chairman of the company, explained why he decided to support the charity this Christmas. He said: ““We have long been supporters of Milton Keynes Hospital Charity and were delighted to donate. While we’ve very much felt the effects of the pandemic in the care sector and have worked hard to support the mental wellbeing of our staff, it’s been an equally challenging time for young people. The support that the campaign is now able to fund is so valuable and we are pleased to be able to contribute.”
Funds raised will provide enhanced support to children and young people admitted to hospital due to a mental health crisis.
The project will fund extra special training for staff on the ward on how best to support this particularly vulnerable group of young patients. The project will also fund bespoke packs and workbooks for young patients including self-help tools, distractions, and additional support to aid recovery and prevent re-admission into hospital.
All donations to support these young patients were generously matched pound for pound by longstanding corporate supporter ECG Training – who are currently playing a key role in the local vaccination effort - as well as The Reed Foundation.
Vanessa Holmes, Head of Charity at Milton Keynes University Hospital, said: “Thank you so, so much to everyone who donated and helped us to exceed our original target – you’ll be helping our paediatric teams support more than 260 young patients over the next 12 months. The Milton Keynes Hospital Charity team is so grateful for the support of our community.”
