The fundraising challenge
On 16th May, Hammersmith and Fulham RFC Juniors (from the U16s right down to the minis) held a massive fundraising challenge for our charity. Their goal was to pass a rugby ball from Twickenham to Murrayfield Stadium, all from their own homes. This is a distance of 535km, or 110,000 passes in one day. The whole club got involved, along with lots of parents, supporters, celebrities and top names from the rugby world.
The big day
It was a perfect day for the challenge and the good weather really helped to make it an enjoyable fundraiser. The determined juniors completely smashed their target by completing 472,339 passes equating to 2,362 km!!!
We are delighted to announce that The Hammers raised a phenomenal £52,000 in total, which is such a fantastic amount for our small charity!
We will be able to help so many projects and this fantastic sum will make a huge difference to our work.
The grants we have approved
In the four weeks since the challenge, we have granted funds to the following projects:
The shop project
As you know, we converted our Friends shop into a hub providing free food and drinks for NHS workers during the pandemic. Hospital volunteers have been staffing the shop for this project, which has been open from 8am – 8pm, for seven days a week. NHS staff have greatly appreciated the service. Since the challenge, we have placed four food and drink stock orders to donate and ensure the staff had continued free supplies.
Our involvement with the shop project has finished for now. Hospital requirements have changed and we have temporarily handed the shop over to Help NHS Heroes this week. They are providing discounted food and drink for NHS workers. Until we are back to business as usual and can reopen our shop, we are pleased that it is still in use to help our NHS staff.
Nursery equipment
We approved a further grant to the Charing Cross Day Nursery this year. The nursery is at 100% capacity with 55 places. 80% are children of NHS workers and 20% are children of other key workers. We purchased the equipment this month, including the outside climbing tower with slide pictured below.
Portable thoracic ultrasound machine
During our June trustee meeting, we approved a grant to the Respiratory Department for a portable thoracic ultrasound machine. This new machine will allow the department to meet increasing demand at the hospital in the management of pleural disease. Furthermore, it will improve diagnostic waiting times and reduce hospital admissions. In light of COVID-19, this handheld machine will reduce risk of cross-infection, allowing use in clean and red COVID areas.
Thank you so much to Hammers Juniors, Seniors, Ladies, the parents, supporters, and to everyone who donated and made the challenge such a success; we truly appreciate your support.
The challenge is now closed for donations, but you can still donate to our charity and/or become a Friend via our homepage.
Portable thoracic ultrasound
Climbing tower with slide
Friends shop purchases
