This year marks the 25th anniversary of charitable funds across the NHS in Somerset and the work of Love Musgrove. Over the past 25 years the charity has been supporting patients and colleagues in a huge number of ways. From purchasing new items of equipment to supporting staff wellbeing as well as extending efforts to community hospitals, mental health services and other NHS teams across Somerset. Thanks to the Somerset community, the charity has raised a staggering £20 million in 25 years!
And so, in the charity’s 25th year, to fully recognise the incredible generosity and ongoing support of charitable funds throughout the county, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has launched Our Charity to support projects right across NHS services in Somerset.
One of the projects is to transform 10 NHS garden spaces across Somerset for the benefit of patients, their families, and staff. This will allow teams to buy garden furniture, plants, and trees and in some cases create allotment spaces to grow fruit and vegetables. This will create lovely spaces for patients to spend precious time with their families.
The charity is also supplying dementia boxes to over 70 clinical spaces across the NHS in Somerset. These boxes will include practical items like hearing aid batteries, glasses wipes and a magnifying glass as well as activities like crossword books, large print cards and sensory items. This will support colleagues to go the extra mile when supporting patients with dementia, regardless of why they have come to seek treatment.
Other projects being supported include a programme of music therapy and engagement, giving NHS volunteers a polo shirt and supporting stroke rehabilitation units at Williton and South Petherton. To see the full list of projects, head to the charity’s website: www.lovemusgrove.org.uk/anniversary-appeal/
The charity is also pleased to announce that ToneFM has come on board as the official radio partner for the 25th Anniversary Appeal. Station Director Patch Jobson said: “We’re thrilled to be one of the official partners for this year’s campaign, and with everything that our local NHS teams have done for our community over the last eighteen months, we simply had to step forward and assist with raising awareness for such a vital support line for the NHS.”
Love Musgrove Community Fundraiser Dan Varley, added: “We are so pleased to have local radio station ToneFM on board to support the Appeal. Their team have been so supportive for a number of years now, including during the Covid-19 pandemic as we supported our patients and colleagues during a very difficult time. We’re excited to continue to keep Tone FM listeners up to date with the Appeal and show how donations can really help”.
The charity is looking for support for the appeal from all corners of the county and anyone who would like to help can get in touch by emailing fundraising@SomersetFT.nhs.uk or by telephoning 01823 344437. The charity is especially keen to here from groups and businesses who would be interested in fundraising, and those keen to take on a challenge or organise a fundraising event.
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