Thank you to our local community for your incredibly kind offers of donations to our hospitals. Knowing that staff here are in the local community’s thoughts is comforting to us in this challenging period.
We are truly overwhelmed with the numerous offers of donations and while this is very much appreciated we also need to ensure that we are following national guidance at all times, encouraging people to #stayhome.
In light of this each hospital has a process for people to donate:
Bedford Hospital
Please pass on all initial enquiries to fundraising@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk or call – 07870856981, the hospital has set up a dedicated enquiry line for donations, supporters will be responded to within 48 hours. Most donations will then be facilitated through Catering Team and Bedford Hospitals Charity & Friends who have kindly set up a fundraising campaign.
From individuals
We are requesting that rather than people going out to buy items, that they stay at home and stay safe. Instead, we are requesting they make a donation via this page. All funds received will support our front line staff with items above provision, to boost morale and support their wellbeing.
From companies or groups:
We are collecting prepackaged foods, such as chocolate, cakes, crisps and soft drinks, that will be split between ward areas and the staff well being hub, located in the Swannery for staff to collect. The wellbeing hub is a space where front line staff can have recuperation and sustenance if and when they need it.
Drop off of these items is requested between 10 – 2pm, from a vehicle to be left outside catering. This is located by the Catering Deliveries entrance, at the back of the hospital main South Wing site. Contact number – 07870856981.
Volunteering requests for Bedford Hospital:
80% of our volunteers have needed to step back while the crisis unfolds, this is due to high risks or personal situation. We are currently supporting our current volunteers to continue where possible and working externally with community organisations. If you would like to volunteer, please email volunteering@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk and we will record your details. This way we can call on people as the situation develops and particular skill sets are needed.
Luton & Dunstable University Hospital
Response for donations of food or money
The L&D needs to adhere to the strict restrictions in place to minimise the footfall on the hospital site as much as possible. Therefore Luton and Dunstable Hospital Charity have kindly set up a fundraising campaign to collect all donations for Luton and Dunstable Hospital staff. The Charity are coordinating this on behalf of the Hospital and can be contacted on 07800711370 or email fundraising@ldh.nhs.uk and for any donations of money this can be done via this donation link: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/fundraising-helpyourlocalhospital
It is also important to add that donations of cooked unpackaged foods without official ingredients and allergy information are unable to be accepted due to Health and Safety and Infection Control reasons.
We have a contactless drop off point established to enable delivery from companies of these provisions. It is really important staff are not accepting donations and directing to this number, this is to protect staff and keep them on the frontline supporting patients.