Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity celebrates first anniversary at new home
A leading children’s charity has invested over £9 million in the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow in the first year it has been open.
Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity – formerly Yorkhill Children’s Charity – revealed it has contributed more than £3.5m of enhanced equipment and services since the hospital opened its doors in June 2015, on top of the £5.5m it invested prior to opening.
According to figures from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, a total of 188,000 patients have been treated at the hospital – with Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity aiming to support every baby, child and young person treated there.
To celebrate the anniversary, the charity yesterday welcomed Sanjeev Kohli of Still Game fame to cut a special 50-inch cake in the shape of the children’s hospital. The cake was created by volunteer bakers known as Scotland’s Superstars.
We are committed to ensuring that everyone who enters the hospital’s door benefits from our support and we will continue to invest heavily into enhancements
Shona Cardle, chief executive at Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “This has been a transformational year for us. Not only did we leave our home at Yorkhill for the new hospital, but we also changed our name earlier this year.
“Through it all, our dedicated fundraisers have been fantastic and their continued support is what allows us to make a real difference to young patients and their families.
“We are committed to ensuring that everyone who enters the hospital’s door benefits from our support and we will continue to invest heavily into enhancements.”
Major projects funded by Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity this year include a state-of-the-art 4D cardiac scanner and an innovative play programme, designed to educate, entertain and reassure children throughout the hospital journey.
The charity has also funded Scotland’s first dedicated Office for Rare Conditions, a pioneering research project which will improve the knowledge and treatment of a wide range of conditions in children.
Last week the anniversary was marked with a Teddy Bear Picnic on the hospital’s roof garden, an area which has also benefited from the charity’s support.
Kevin Hill, director of women and childrens’ services at the hospital, added: “I would like to thank the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity for funding a range of enhancements to the Royal Hospital for Children over and above the many projects they provide for our patients and their families.”
