The official charity of Airedale Hospital has set a target of £150,000 for its latest fundraising effort, which will support the refurbishment of the hospital's Emergency Department.
The doors opened to the new Emergency Department at Airedale Hospital in 2014. Every year since then, an average of 55,000 patients have walked through the doors to seek emergency care. That means in just 8 years nearly half a million people have received help from the Airedale Emergency Department.
Some of the most important areas in the Emergency Department now need to be updated. With the help of the local community, Airedale Hospital & Community Charity aims to raise vital funds to give some areas in the Emergency Department an important refurbishment.
These areas include the children’s waiting area, the paediatric resuscitation area, and bereavement facilities.
Jodie Hearnshaw, Head of Charity at Airedale Hospital & Community Charity, said: “With our Emergency Department Appeal, we plan to refurbish the tired and worn waiting area for children and their families, to give them somewhere comfortable to wait.
“The waiting room is currently empty as most individual toys and games had to be removed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Plans include providing entertainment and distraction activities that are safe and clean and will stand the test of time. The room will be decorated to be bright and calm with the addition of a sensory area, comfortable seating, interactive walls and floor, and a soft play zone.
"The paediatric resuscitation area is used when extremely ill patients need resuscitating. This a very difficult and stressful time for staff, family, loved ones and of course the patients themselves.
“Our charity is working in collaboration with the paediatric team in the Emergency Department to identify ways that these children can have the best possible care and experience at what is a frightening time. Through the appeal, we will purchase specialist equipment and sensory elements specifically tailored for the paediatric resuscitation room.”
The final focus of the appeal is on the department’s bereavement facilities.
Jodie added: “When families lose a relative in hospital, it’s important that there is somewhere quiet and peaceful to go and be near their loved one.
“Following the death of a patient, bereaved family members need a private space in which to grieve, asks questions without being rushed or distracted. The bereavement suite will often be a family’s last experience of Airedale meaning the environment is important and meaningful. This appeal will purchase furniture, equipment, and other items for the bereavement suite to create the best environment possible.”
Nicola Denbow, Emergency Department Matron at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The Airedale Emergency Department appeal will make a tangible difference to patients, their families, and staff in the department. Since becoming Matron in the department, I’ve spoken to families who have given us some brilliant ideas about how we can improve experiences for themselves and their children. The most common suggestions were to provide safe toys and sensory equipment in the waiting room and to brighten up the space where people can be waiting for several hours. This has provided the basis of our plans which we’re working closely with the charity and AGH Solutions teams on.
“The appeal is already boosting morale within the department; the ED team has come together to think of fundraising challenges, events, and ideas for the appeal. It’s going to be a great team-building project and it’s fantastic to have so much input from the team who all have brilliant ideas and enthusiasm.”
To support Airedale Hospital & Community Charity’s Emergency Department appeal, you can:
- make a donation via JustGiving at justgiving.com/campaign/AiredaleED
- text 10AIREDALEED to 70480 to donate £10*
- visit airedalecharity.org/donate-to-one-of-our-appeals.
If you would like to organise your own event or fundraising challenge, the Airedale Hospital & Charity team is available to support you - you can contact them on anhsft.charity@nhs.net or by telephone on 01535 294870 to get started.
(*Texts cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message, and you’ll be opting into hearing more from the charity. If you would like to donate without opting in you can text 10AIREDALEEDNOINFO to 70480).
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