Happy birthday to us!
RUH Forever Friends Appeal marks 20th anniversary:
The Forever Friends Appeal – the official fundraising charity of the RUH – was founded on June 29, 1999 with an aim to improve the experience of patients, visitors and staff by fundraising and investing in projects that go above and beyond what NHS funding can provide.
The charity has raised more than £25 million in the past 20 years, funding major projects that have made a real difference to patients and their families.
This has gone to a variety of causes such as refurbishing A&E in 2002, which cost £250,000, purchasing a CT scanner in radiography for £800,000 and, most recently, putting more than £500,000 towards the new oral and maxillofacial surgery and orthodontics department.
Tim Hobbs was appointed head of fundraising when the charity launched.
He said:“it has been a true privilege
to spend 20 years working for this charity. I have worked with and met some incredible, kind and generous people. We are indebted to all of our donors, supporters and staff for their support – we could not have done it without them.
“Twenty years on, we want to celebrate and thank our supporters for all that they’ve done for the appeal, helping us transform patient care at the RUH.”
Celebrations began with a special visit from Spice Girl Geri Horner, who officially launched the charity 20 years ago. Geri was given a tour of and got to see first-hand the ways that the money raised has helped transform the hospital.
Among all the festivities the B&NES parks team have been working hard on a unique gift for the RUH’S anniversary. Situated in Parade Gardens, a large floral display has been created to honour the event.
The display was officially unveiled on Friday, June 28, the day before the charity’s official birthday, and is now open to the public to enjoy for the summer. Long-standing supporters, staff members past and present, major donors and representatives from the council and RUH Bath gathered to see the display unveiled and to celebrate the history and achievements of The Forever Friends Appeal. There were also special Forever Friends Appeal cookies for sale in the park’s café, the proceeds from which went to the charity.
The B&NES Parks team, led by nursery supervisor Matt Soan, have been growing the plants for the display for the past three months. They installed it over 14 days, using three tons of soil and over 5,000 plants.
Matt said: “It’s been a privilege to prepare this display for The Forever Friends Appeal to help them mark their 20th anniversary. I hope everyone enjoys seeing it over the summer and that it motivates them to support or learn more about the charity. Over the coming weeks, the display will evolve, with the Pyrethrum Golden Moss that the letters are made from growing taller and the rest of the flowers bedding in around them, enhancing the 3D effect.
“I’d like to say a big thank you to the rest of the B&NES Parks team and volunteers who have helped
I hope through the appeals we can continue to make a real difference to our patients, their families and staff.
build the display, and of course a huge congratulations to The Forever Friends Appeal on their 20th anniversary.”
Councillor Paul Crossley, cabinet member for community services at B&NES, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with The Forever Friends Appeal on this display. 3D displays have been a feature in the Parade Gardens for many years. It’s great for us to be able to support the work of the RUH’S charity as the hospital is such an important part of our all our lives and the community in B&NES.”
James Scott, chief executive, RUH said: “This floral display is a fantastic tribute to our charity. We are incredibly proud of the work by The Forever Friends Appeal and what has been achieved during the past 20 years and I hope through the major campaigns and special appeals, we can continue to make a real difference to our patients, their families and staff. I’d like to thank everyone for their support.”