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2023-03-31-accounts

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Contents

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|||| |---|---|---| |Page| |Introduction| |•|Foreword – message from our Chair|3| |•|About The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity|4| |•|Financial Review|5| |•|Annual Summary and Charity Objectives|7| |Our work| |•|Fundraising and working in our community|8 - 30| |•|Arts and Heritage|31 - 32| |•|Legacies|33 - 34| |•|Corporate & External donations|35 - 44| |•|Volunteering at RWT|45 - 46| |•|Events|47 - 51| |•|NHS Charity Together Grants|52 - 54| |•|Charity Spend|55 - 56| |•|How you can support us|57| |•|Looking Ahead|58| |Finance| |•|Trustees Custodians of the Charity|59 - 67| |•|Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities|68| |•|Independent Auditors’ report|69 - 70| |•|Charity Accounts 2022/23|71 - 86|

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Message from our Chair Martin Levermore

As the incoming Chair I am delighted to present the 2022/23 Annual Report of the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity.

I wish to thank the outgoing Chair, Mrs Sue Rawlings, for her years of commitment and sterling leadership of the Charity that enabled the success the Charity has achieved to date.

Over the previous years the Charity sector like many sectors has faced many challenges and without our many supporters and the tireless work of fundraisers, both in the hospital and in our surrounding community and businesses our RWT Charity would not be in the robust place that it is today. People who have given of their time, effort and generosity which we greatly thank you all. We have again received vital support from partners and funders.

Our new charity team has taken big steps forward to help develop and grow the Charity, we are greatly appreciative to Amanda and the team, not forgetting the invaluable support from members of the Communications and Finance teams for their hard work.

We welcome Katy Ball as our dedicated Charity Accountant which was a post planned as part of our Strategic Review, and I would like to thank Emma Greybanks who has so effectively looked after us financially up to this point.

This year, we were again able to support a wide range of projects across many departments and directorates, many of which are highlighted in the body of this report.

I want to thank all who have done so much to help us support our staff, patients, and their families. We are so grateful to all of you, without whom we could not have achieved so much. It is great privilege to be Chair of this very important Charity and I look forward to work with all to make a difference to our patients, families and staff.

Martin Levermore Chair of the Charitable Funds Committee

About The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity

At The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity, we are dedicated to improving the experience of and outcomes for our staff, patients, and our local community. The people and patients of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) are at the heart of what we do.

Our mission is to enhance patient care and help families and carers in Wolverhampton, by transforming hospital and community-based services. We do this through funding “added extras” - items, projects, research, staff training and services - that are over and above those provided by the NHS. This is what drives our charity, inspires our fundraisers, and connects us to Wolverhampton’s warm, friendly, and diverse population.

We work alongside RWT, raising funds to support our staff to deliver the very best possible care and to help adults and children across Wolverhampton and surrounding areas. With the help of our wonderful community, our fundraising efforts make a real difference to patient outcomes.

Whether people come to hospital for routine procedures, medical investigations, or for lifesaving, cutting edge treatment, we understand that needing NHS care can be a worrying time. Every day the RWT Charity’s fundraising helps to ensure that visits to our hospitals and our services are as comfortable, reassuring, friendly and positive as possible.

Trust Overview

RWT is one of the largest healthcare providers in the Black Country and West Midlands, providing primary, secondary, community and tertiary care services to a combined population of 450,000 people. The Trust provides 850 beds at our New Cross site (including intensive care beds and neonatal cots), 56 rehabilitation beds at West Park Hospital, and 54 beds at Cannock Chase Hospital. It is the largest employer in Wolverhampton, with more than 10,500 staff. This means that the Charity supports in the region of 460,500 beneficiaries year on year.

The Trust provides services in the following locations:

The Trust also successfully hosts Black Country Pathology Services (BCPS) and the West Midlands Local Clinical Research Network (WMCRN) and has done since its establishment in April 2014.

The Trustees’ Mission

The mission of the charity is to make a real difference to RWT patients, their families and the staff that treat them, above and beyond what is provided by the NHS. We support the Trust to realise its vision to be an NHS organisation that continually strives to improve the outcomes and experiences for the communities it serves.

Public Benefit

In planning the Charity’s activities, careful consideration is given to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance. We must also comply with the duty in Section 4 of the Charities Act 2011. We support the work of the Trust, however, there is a clear distinction between what the Trust is required to provide as an NHS organisation and what is additional public benefit. The application of charitable funds leads to the enhancement of patient care and experience – regardless of our patients’ background or personal circumstances.

Charity funds are used to provide the following:

Getting involved and supporting your local hospital and patients of the Trust couldn’t be easier. Simply call the Fundraising Team on (01902) 447293 or contact us on social media:

TheRWTCharity on X

Facebook

@therwtcharity on Instagram

Financial review

The Statement of Financial Activities can be found below as at 31 March 2023 with comparatives to the previous year. The complete set of Accounts can be found on pages 71-86.

Income

£862k

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Total Incoming Resources Unrestricted Restricted
£000 £000
Donations and Legacies - £611k 162 449
Grants - £85k 26 59
Fundraising - £84k 80 4
Investment income - £82k 44 38
Total - £862k 312 550
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Statement of Financial Activities

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Unrestricted Restricted Endowment 2022/23 2021/22
£000 £000 £000 £000 £000
Total incoming resources 312 550 0 862 886
Total expenditure (402) (524) 0 (926) (750)
Net gains/(losses) on
(146) (97) 0 (243) (24)
investment
Net income/
(236) (71) 0 (306) 112
(expenditure)
Total brought forward 2,026 923 82 3,031 2,919
Total at 31 March 2023 1,790 853 82 2,725 3,031
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Expenditure

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Unrestricted Restricted
£000 £000 £926k
Raising funds - (£151k) (151) 0
Charitable activities - (£773k) (249) (524)
Other expenditure - (£1k) (1) 0
Total - (£926k) (402) (524)
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Did you know you can also increase your donation without having to pay more? Included in the Donations and Legacies and Fundraising income above, is an additional £6k which has been raised through the Gift Aid scheme in 2022/23. How does Gift Aid work?

Gift Aid is a scheme run by the government that enables charities to increase the value of donations made by reclaiming basic rate tax that has been paid on the gift. At the moment, we can claim 25p per £1 donated, so on a gift of £100, we will actually receive an extra £25, at no cost to the donor.

The Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2023 can be found below with the comparatives to the previous year.

Balance Sheet

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2022/23 2021/22 2022/23 2021/22
£000 £000 £000 £000
Fixed Asset Investments 2,449 2,691 Endowment funds 82 82
Restricted funds 852 923
Debtors & Prepayments 45 42
Unrestricted funds
Cash 390 806 1,705 1,921
- Designated
Creditors (160) (508) - Non-designated 86 105
Net Assets 2,725 3,031 Total Funds 2,725 3,031
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A few helpful definitions:

Throughout this report you may see some terminology you aren’t familiar with. Hopefully these next few paragraphs will help you understand the Charity’s financial position.

Fixed asset investments - investments held in Short and Long Term Investment Portfolios, where the Charity seeks to produce the best financial return with an acceptable level of risk.

Current assets - cash held plus debtors. Debtors - money paid in after the year end relating to the year, accrued income - money due in for activities taken place in the year, prepayments - payments made in year relating to the next year and so have been removed from the Statement of Financial Activities expenditure.

Current liabilities - creditors falling due within one year for money owed to others for expenses chargeable in the year.

Liabilities - creditors falling due after more than one year for money owed to others for expenses chargeable for previous years.

Net assets - Total assets minus total liabilities.

Endowment funds - r epresent funds that are held as capital in perpetuity so that only the income is available for distribution. Restricted income funds - represent money which is held by the Trustees which can only be used for specified purposes. These funds are supervised either by the Fund Advisors within the ward, department or specialty concerned or the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer for more generic purposes.

Unrestricted income funds - are funds available to be spent within the objects of the Charity which can legally be spent wholly at the discretion of the Trustees. In practice, respecting the non-binding preferences expressed by donors, the Trustees have sub categorised the unrestricted income funds under two headings.

Annual Summary and Charity Objectives

The last 12 months have been very different to the previous year for various reasons - with the main one being the costof-living crisis having an impact on us all. Fundraisers have, however, been able to participate in events again which is great news, but sadly people have also found times hard physically, emotionally, and financially. They may have lost loved ones through COVID-19 or have been impacted by long COVID, and jobs have been at risk from the effects of the cost-of-living crisis.

Not only has this impacted our fundraisers but our staff and patients. Staff have been struggling with the current climate and this has had an impact on their lives. We have been able to support patients and staff over the last 12 months with the following to offer support and comfort to those who find themselves in hospital and for those looking after them:

Aim

The Charity actively supports projects that enhance the delivery and experience of care for all patients and their families. This includes the provision of additional equipment or equipment that is of a higher specification than NHS funding can provide, funding projects that enhance the healing environment, provision of funding for additional training and any other resources that will help make a real difference.

We are grateful for all the support we receive; however, we have further aspirations to enhance patient care and experiences that require us to be ambitious in our income generation activities. We will strive to increase the value of monetary and non-monetary donations we receive year upon year.

We will support our NHS colleagues’ commitment to ensuring everyone has equal access to our services, saving lives and improving health outcomes for our diverse community with a key focus on:

Due to the exceptional circumstances and the uncertainty of the current environment, this strategy intentionally focuses on our direction for a shorter timeframe than usual - the 2022/ 23 and 2023/ 2024 financial years. This allows us to develop our usual longer-term strategy once there is more certainty over the environment in which we operate.

Our work

Fundraising and working within our community Nine fundraisers from Trust run and raise over £4,000

Nine fundraisers from RWT completed the London Landmarks Half Marathon (LLHM) 2022, clocking up more than £4,000 for its Charity.

The LLHM is the first half marathon (13.1 miles) to take runners through the heart of the capital on a closed road route that showcases the city’s iconic landmarks.

The event started at The Strand, before crossing and recrossing Waterloo Bridge, passing Covent Garden, the Thames, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Bank of England, the Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament before finishing in Downing Street.

Louise Porter and Jan Share, Therapy Assistants at the Gem Centre, wanted to take on the challenge after losing nearly 10 stone between them during the COVID-19 lockdown. The friends completed the half marathon together in a time of two hours, 55 minutes and 27 seconds.

Louise said: “We never believed we would run it in under three hours, but we ran all the way and never stopped to walk.

“We were very emotional. Having our families there was amazing, but you couldn’t do it without all the support from the crowd, entertainment and all the charities there cheering you on.

“When we saw the 13-mile marker, we turned the corner and saw the finish line. Jan grabbed my hand and we sprinted to the finish.”

Five other members of staff who entered are part of the New Cross Harriers. Kirstie Rice, Consultant Biomedical Scientist in Cytology, Winsome Bonnie, Administration Officer in the Diabetic Centre, Satbinder Suman, founder Karen Kendall and Desiree Galizia, Medical Laboratory Assistant in the Microbiology Department, train with the group, which started three and a half years ago to improve fitness and

meets weekly after work. Kirstie, Karen and Desiree all work for Black Country Pathology Services, based at New Cross Hospital.

The New Cross Harriers members finished in close succession of each other between the times of 2:50:00 and 3:04:00.

“Unfortunately I pulled something in the back of my leg quite early on which was very painful, but Kirstie and Dessie came back and ran with me,” said Satbinder, a Diabetic Educator/Support Worker. “The camaraderie we have between us is great.”

Karen, a Senior Biomedical Scientist and Clinical Operations Manager, said: “It was a fabulous day, with perfect conditions and so well organised – I’m going to do it again next year!

“Three and a half years ago I said to Kirstie ‘shall we start a running club? She said ‘yes’ and more people have joined us. We’re lucky to have such lovely people.”

The other two entrants from the Trust were Dr Mohamed Shariff, Anaesthetist and Clinical Fellow, and Laura Butterworth, a Staff Nurse for the Care Co-ordination Team in Adult Community, who has run several marathons and half marathons in the past.

Dr Shariff completed the course in an excellent time of 1:47:17 while Laura clocked 4:17:31 after unfortunately getting lost en route.

The group raised a total of £4,351.81 plus Gift Aid for the Trust Charity.

Rachel Robinson, former Digital Engagement and Fundraising Officer at the Charity, said: “We are very proud and grateful to our colleagues who took on the challenge. They all did fantastically, and it’s been a pleasure to be involved in this experience with them.”

New Cross Harriers before the race from left: Desiree Galizia, Kirstie Rice, Karen Kendall, Winsome Bonnie and Satbinder Suman

Before taking part: Louise Porter and Jan Share

After the race: from left: Satbinder Suman, Winsome Bonnie, Desiree Galizia and Kirstie Rice

RWT Singers tune up for competition.

A group of NHS singers hit all the right notes after reaching the semifinals of a singing competition.

The RWT Singers pictured before a concert prior to COVID-19, with Choir Director Martin Trotman

The RWT staff choir, The RWT Singers, qualified for the semi-finals of the Midlands Choir of the Year competition.

For the semi-final, each group had to sing at least two songs in six minutes led by their Choir Director Martin Trotman, The RWT Singers performed Pink’s What About Us, Hold Back the River by James Bay, and True Colours by Cyndi Lauper. Hold Back the River was the choir’s acapella number.

The choir reached the semi-finals in 2020 but the competition was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. The group re-entered and again reached the semi-finals with new songs. While the group failed to reach the finals last July at Lichfield Cathedral, members still enjoyed the experience and opportunity.

Jayne Harper, Choir Organiser, is one of the six founder members of The RWT Singers from when it started in October 2016, following an idea from then Chief Nurse, Cheryl Etches.

A retired Patient Access Manager who worked for the Trust for 43 years, Jayne, from Moseley Green, Wolverhampton, said: “Just to be accepted into the competition is great.” An inclusive group, the 22-strong RWT Singers has nurses, a doctor, a clinical scientist, a physiotherapist, a nursing tutor, procurement and governance staff, patient access staff and volunteers among its members.

But the friendly group is always on the lookout for new members, who enjoy songs from Earth, Wind & Fire, Queen, Bob Marley, Diana Ross, Wilson Phillips, Rihanna, Rag’n’Bone Man, Coldplay and Stormzy, to name a few artists.

“We welcome anyone and everyone,” added Jayne. “The only criteria is that you’re a staff member or former staff member.

“It’s so relaxing and you lose yourself. When we perform a concert or go round the wards it’s so rewarding.” Before lockdown, the group sang in Wolverhampton city centre on Armed

Forces Day, in Sainsbury’s, a baby memorial service, staff carol service, summer and Christmas concerts and on many wards within the Trust, including the dementia and paediatric wards. “When we sang to patients with dementia, one wife turned to me and said it was the first time she’d seen her husband smile in 18 months. His face lit up and she was thrilled,” added Jayne. The group is supported by the RWT Charity but wasn’t able to raise funds for two years due to COVID-19.

“It’s such a boost to be together and singing in front of people after lockdown. Staff need to know there’s a choir in the Trust and come and join us!” said Jayne.

Anyone interested in joining the RWT Singers should email Jayne at: jayne.harper56@gmail.com

Doctors on the run raise £2,500

A group of medics went on the run to raise almost £2,500 for equipment to help vulnerable children attending their department at Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital.

Eight members of staff from A21 Paediatric Assessment Unit at RWT joined more than 13,000 people in the Great Birmingham Run 2022, with seven running the 10k race and one completing the half marathon (13.1 miles).

Ambra Righetti, Trainee Paediatric Advanced Nurse Practitioner, had the idea to use the race as a fundraising event and a total of £2,434 was raised.

The money will contribute towards buying an ultrasound (USS) machine for the ward to help cannulate children, in particular those who visit often.

She said: “The day was brilliant and the atmosphere was great. There were professional runners and a lot of people running for charities, like us. The race was tough but seeing people running next to you kept everyone going.

“Everyone did their best and was such an achievement just being there and finishing the race. A big thank you to all the running gang members, it was such a lovely day full of fun, laughs and good exercise.

“We also had a flamingo (colleague Dr Ash Holt) joining us for the race – you had to see the faces of the little children, it was ace!

“We did not have a target but the generosity of people allowed us to raise nearly £2,500, which was more than expected.”

Rachel Robinson, former RWT Digital Engagement Fundraising Officer, said: “Thanks to all the runners from A21 for their magnificent efforts – and for raising a fantastic amount of money.”

A special mention goes to Dr Julie Brent, Consultant Paediatrician, who was the only member of the team to complete the half marathon (13.1 miles).

Despite it being her first attempt at the distance for 10 years, she achieved a personal best time of two hours and 14 minutes.

Dr Brent said: “I run every week, 8.5 miles but slowly, so decided I would do the half marathon instead as more of a challenge.”

At 53, mother of three teenage boys Dr Karen Davies, Consultant in General Paediatrics and Paediatric Rheumatology, has been running for two decades and was the most senior of the group who ran the race.

Running her first race was Dr Katie Shelley, Paediatric Registrar, 36. The mother of two has worked on A21 since September 2020, but also previously in 2014.

Dr Shelley completed the couch 2 5K running programme last year and had trained for the race since the autumn.

Also running the 10k were Paediatric Consultants Dr Minoth Kanagaratnam, Dr Holt and Dr Kiran Sastry and Paediatric Registrar Dr Katie Crombie.

Starting and finishing in the city centre, the Great Birmingham Run 10k took runners past the Bullring, along Pershore Road to Cannon Hill Park which marks the halfway point, before looping round Edgbaston Cricket Ground and past Calthorpe Park, before a final section through Digbeth.

Runners, pre race, pictured from left: Dr Minoth Kanagaratnam, Dr Elke Reunis (who has since left the organisation), Dr Julie Brent, Dr Ash Holt, Dr Katherine Shelley and Ambra Righetti

Staff scale Snowdon and raise £3,450

More than 30 energetic RWT walkers put their best feet forward to climb Mount Snowdon to raise more than £3,000 for its Charity.

Each year, colleagues Claire Flatt, Lead for Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals Leadership Development, Laura Roberts, Executive Assistant, and Claire Young, Deputy Director of Education and Training, invite colleagues, staff, friends and family to join them on a new #RWTchallenge. This raises money for the RWT Charity, as well as a nominated charity from which patients benefit.

The walkers’ efforts raised more than £3,200 for this year’s chosen charity, The Macmillan Cancer Support Centre at New Cross Hospital.

Starting from the village of Llanberis, the Snowdon Sunset Walk took the group along a challenging nine-mile route which included 950 metres of ascent, including a tough trek up the Llanberis Path, the longest way to the summit. The walk concluded at the summit of Snowdon for sunset, before the descent back down got underway after dark.

Claire said: “We hoped to get a rare view of billions of stars splashed across the night sky, however we were met with 40mph winds, and it was too cloudy at the top for the sunset.

“But we did manage to catch it as we came down under the clouds and we got some fantastic photos of a bright orange sky.

“It was still a fantastic experience. Well done to everyone who smashed the #RWTchallenge and thank you to everyone who has helped us raise over £3,450!

“I’m already thinking of next year’s challenge, although most people don’t seem up for my idea of a skydive!

Walkers on their trip to climb Snowdon

“Not only do our annual challenges support our chosen charities, but they will also help our own physical and mental health.”

Kelly Pritchard, Macmillan Information and Support Centre Manager at New Cross Hospital, said: “The walkers put in amazing effort and we’re so thankful to them. The funds they raised will go towards treatment comfort packs for cancer patients.”

Amanda Winwood, Charity Development Manager for The RWT Charity, said: “We are so proud of you all for pushing yourselves and raising an amazing amount of money for our charity.

“It was brilliant seeing your updates throughout the challenge and felt like we were there with you. I can’t wait to see what challenge you set for next year.”

Charities help take the heat off staff

Staff working in hospitals and community services across Wolverhampton were given a helping hand in last year’s heatwave, thanks to the efforts of the RWT Charity.

The Charity, which worked in partnership with Walsall healthcare NHS Trust’s Well Wishers charity, sorted out fruit, drinks and ice creams for staff.

They were treated to a free ice-cream at Cannock Chase, New Cross and West Park hospitals thanks to Charity funding and the Charity Team secured bottles of water from Tesco in Willenhall and Morrisons in Cannock.

Amanda Winwood, RWT Charity Development Manager, said: “The Charity was pleased to organise ice-cream trucks to keep our staff cool during the heatwave, making it a little easier to work in such temperatures.

“We would like to thank our local corporate supporters and supermarkets in offering bottles of water to help keep staff hydrated.”

Inspirational girl born at 25 weeks raises money for ‘incredible’ unit

An inspirational schoolgirl who defied the odds after being born at 25 weeks has helped her mum to write a book to raise money for the ‘incredible’ Wolverhampton Neonatal Unit (NNU) which saved her life.

Naiyana Aikens was born on 13 November 2014, weighing just 1lb 8oz and looking like “a tiny baby bird.” Her mother Shemayne Walker, a Therapeutic Radiographer at RWT, had an emergency caesarean section at New Cross Hospital after going into premature labour and Naiyana was rushed straight to the NNU.

Shemayne, from Bushbury, said she wanted to write the book to help other parents with babies in NNU.

‘My Neonatal Journey’ is an emotional story about Naiyana’s journey from a very ill baby to the thriving seven-year-old she is today and the fantastic care she received from the NHS. Naiyana said: “I hope that families read the book and see that their baby can grow big and strong like me.”

Shemayne said: “It is a short story to introduce people to Naiyana’s journey. Niayana is now thriving but at the time when she was born it was very much an hour by hour, day by day case. I wish I could have seen how well she would do in the future then, to give us hope.

“I hope this book will help other parents. The journey of a premature baby is very unpredictable and at times overwhelming but at the same time watching your little miracle thrive daily is inspiring in so many ways.”

First time mum Shemayne was admitted on to the Maternity Unit at New Cross Hospital after her waters broke at 24 weeks.

She said: “I was immediately admitted and put on bed rest. At 25 weeks I went into premature labour which was very scary. I had a C-section and even though it was a terrifying moment I felt calm and relaxed thanks to the staff. I could never thank them enough.

“Naiyana was rushed straight to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). It was hours later until I was able to go and see her.

“As she was born at 25 weeks, I expected her to be small, yet I still felt shocked by her size. Her dad described it best – she was “a tiny baby bird”. At this early stage I could not picture her as a full-term baby, and soon realised that I had to take things one day at a time.

“I couldn’t take Naiyana home for five months so visiting the NNU became my obsession. I wanted to be as involved in her care as I could possibly be.

“I became numb to the once overwhelming sounds of bleeping coming from the machines and grew more confident in putting a nappy on her tiny frame, navigating the small openings in the incubator. This new found skill was later tested when Naiyana had a stoma.”

Naiyana developed Necrotising Enterocolitis (NEC) and was transferred to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital as an emergency for a specialist operation.

“The surgery was successful - just over 40 centimetres of Naiyana’s bowel was removed and a stoma formed. She then spent a month in London before being transferred back to New Cross Hospital,” Shemayne said.

“Naiyana had a reversal of her stoma a month later at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and recovered well. We realised how resilient our little daughter was, despite how nerve-wracking it was for us as parents.

“Over a total of five months Naiyana had three operations, went from a ventilator to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), oxygen and then no breathing support. She had a Nasogastric feed and night pump to help her thrive before advancing to formula via bottle, with the support of an amazing dietitian.

“I will never forget the amazing care and supportive staff on the unit. They were incredible.”

Naiyana was discharged from hospital five months later to continue her recovery at home with mum, brother Eshay Aikens, three, and dad Anthony Aikens.

Sarah Crowshaw, Neonatal Ward Manager, said: “We are grateful for the fundraising by Naiyana and Shemayne’s inspirational story. This is a great way to share their story of their neonatal journey with other families and a personal record for Naiyana to keep forever. The fundraising will help the NNU continue to support babies and families who experience our neonatal care.”

Former ICCU patient thanks staff after recovery

A COVID-19 survivor made an emotional return to New Cross Hospital’s Integrated Critical Care Unit (ICCU) to thank “amazing” staff for her care.

Angie Fleming began to feel unwell and was classed as COVID-19 high risk due to being diagnosed with leukaemia in 2020.

After testing positive she deteriorated rapidly and was ventilated.

“It was a truly frightening experience. I was struggling to breathe, and I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it. I have now got post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from my time in ICCU, it was the worst time of my life, “ Angie, 51, said.

“After I woke from my induced coma I remember seeing some of the staff’s faces and hearing them talking. They were all so kind to me. They were all so upbeat and cheery. They are an amazing team – so respectful and lovely.

“My family said the staff were also very easy to contact for an update at any time as I was in hospital while there were visiting restrictions. The staff also did a diary for me with messages while I was ventilated that I could read when I woke up.”

Due to her outstanding care, Angie, who lives in Cannock, asked if she could return to New Cross to thank staff for their kindness. She met with the team outside ICCU.

Kathy Harvey, Senior Sister on ICCU, said: “There is nothing better than seeing patients who were severely unwell, back home with their family. We don’t normally see patients after they go home so it is lovely Angie took time to come and see us and meet some of the staff who cared for her. It is a real team effort to care for our patients.”

One of the members of staff who looked after Angie was Sister Judy Rockfort. She said: “I am really proud

to see how well Angie is doing. It was a very emotional visit. This is one of the rewards of nursing - seeing our patients do well.”

Liefah Misa and Jade James also came to meet Angie so she could thank them with chocolate.

Angie, who is business support administrator for the Countywide Day Services for people with a learning disability, went on to recover at home with her daughter Holly.

Keen swimmer makes waves for charity

Fundraiser Debbie Brackstone has certainly made a splash for New Cross Hospital’s Integrated Critical Care Unit (ICCU) – raising almost £2,000 after a 21-mile swim of Lake Windermere to thank staff for caring for her friend who contracted COVID-19.

Debbie on her swim

Debbie’s friend Angie Fleming was cared for on the ICCU in December last year and returned to New Cross Hospital to thank staff for their kindness and outstanding care.

Working for Staffordshire County Council as the Countywide Day

Service Manager during the week, Debbie loves to swim long distances in her spare time. She completes many endurance swims purely for the challenge and does one significant fundraising event every year.

Debbie, of Stafford, said: “I had planned on completing Windermere anyway, but after finding out about the extraordinary care Angie received, it provided an even greater incentive to accomplish it.

“Lake Windermere is 21 miles both ways, and I couldn’t touch the boat or the ground beneath her. I planned to do it in 45-minute blocks, then give myself one minute to rest in between.” Ten months of preparation were endured, including five weeks that included a six or seven-hour swim on a Saturday, followed by a four-hour swim on a Sunday, leading up to the event.

Despite the thorough training in a mixture of pools and the River Trent, Debbie admitted the actual event was tough.

“It’s the mental side of the swim that’s more difficult than the physical,” she said. “When you’re out there it’s so important to stay ‘in the now’, appreciating what is around you. It’s honestly where I’m happy – I love the isolation and moments of mindfulness.

“Although, I wasn’t happy at the halfway point (six hours in), as I knew I could have gone faster!”

Twelve hours and 56 minutes later, Debbie completed the 21-mile swim across Lake Windermere and, most importantly, she managed to raise an incredible £1,869 for the RWT Charity.

Debbie with Angie and staff from ICCU

Grateful patient donates £1,420

From left to right, Sanjiv Petkar, Graham Ellis, Amanda Winwood, Eldon Foster and Saib Khogali, Clincal Lead and Consultant Interventional Cardiologist

A retired bookmaker who says he owes his life to a Wolverhampton consultant made a generous donation to the unit where he was treated.

Graham Ellis, 78, from Bridgnorth, donated £1,420 to the Cardiothoracic Trust Fund based at the Heart and Lung Centre at New Cross Hospital through the RWT Charity after having a defibrillator fitted to regulate his heartbeat.

Money was raised by 40 golfers playing in a four-ball tournament at Chesterton Valley Golf Club near Bridgnorth, before a meal afterwards at The Plough pub in Claverley.

Graham had a heart attack on the golf course while on holiday in Thailand, so he had a stent inserted to keep his right coronary artery open, and has since had a further two stents and a defibrillator fitted at New Cross Hospital. For the latter, he was discharged on the same day.

So, it’s little surprise that the father of two daughters and granddad of five was only too happy to hand over the cheque to Sanjiv Petkar, Consultant Electrophysiologist at RWT.

Graham, who owned betting shops in Old Hill, Gornal and Bridgnorth, as well as spending many years as an ontrack bookie, was accompanied to the cheque presentation with his long-time

friend Eldon Foster, who owns Rudge Heath Stores on Wolverhampton Road. A raffle at Rudge Heath Stores raised around £700, a collection in the pub after the golf day raised a further £200 and concessions from the golf club and pub for entry and the meals respectively accounted for the rest of the money.

“Mr Petkar saved my life and that’s why we made this donation,” said Graham. “I am so grateful. When I was in Thailand I was given two hours to live – I thought I had indigestion and I had to come off the golf course!

“But Mr Petkar put the defibrillator in and I haven’t had any problems since. This treatment has given me a new lease of life.

“This is an annual fundraiser and this time I was only too happy to donate it to the people who saved my life. Mr Petkar and his team are brilliant. I no longer drink alcohol and I’m certainly looking after myself.”

Mr Petkar said: “Graham had quite a lot of damage to his heart muscle and was having quite a lot of extra heart beats – a lot of ‘sparking’ and the pump was weak.

“So we put in a defibrillator to protect him. It’s like a pacemaker, but a pacemaker is for slow heartbeats and a defibrillator is for slow and fast heartbeats.

“That monitors his heartbeat. If there is a problem it will give treatment and it can also shock him.

“So it’s much quicker than a paramedic. The gadget talks to his device and it sends all the information via satellite to our pacemaker clinic here in hospital. “Recently he had chest pain and he attended on more than one occasion. So he has now had another stent put into a different place but his symptoms have subsided significantly and he no longer has chest pain.

“Medication will still be there and he has to look after himself, but we can add a third wire to the two he already has to support the pumping function. “We’re keeping that in reserve, so along with medication and a good lifestyle, that should help Mr Ellis.”

He added: “We are very thankful for this donation and grateful that Graham has considered the Heart and Lung Centre.

“The NHS does a lot but there is always more that can be done for patients, and that is where this substantial amount will help.”

Amanda Winwood, The RWT Charity Development Manager, said: “It was so lovely to meet Graham and share in his journey. We thank him for his wonderful donation, which will be used for the benefit of our patients.”

Panto stars bring cheer to Paediatric Ward

Ian Adams, who plays Widow Twankey in this year’s panto Aladdin at Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre, slapped on the greasepaint and donned his full dame’s costume to join Rebecca Fisher and Faye Campbell, who play the Princess and Elizabeth Darling respectively on the tour.

On the tour, the actors present a condensed, 40-minute version of the panto to children featuring the main characters, written by Ian. Over the last six years, the tour has been seen by some 6,000 children across England and Wales.

“It’s a way of promoting the pantomime to children, as well as tell them all the history of panto,” said Ian, 62, who was playing Widow Twankey for the second time at the Grand. “We also put on workshops where we teach kids songs and jokes.

The cast of Intro to Panto Primary Schools Tour with Scarlett Moreton

Rebecca, from Burntwood, said: “We received a great reaction from the children – they absolutely love it and it was wonderful to see their faces.”

Faye, who has also starred as Cinderella at the York Theatre Royal, said: “It was great fun and the children really enjoyed it. It’s great to engage with them and see them smile.”

“It’s also a way of introducing theatre to children, many of whom might not have seen any live theatre before. I first saw live theatre at the age of five and was hooked. It also teaches the children what to expect if they see it.” Previously appearing in variety with stars such Danny La Rue, Bernie Clifton, Don Maclean and Ray Alan and dummy Lord Charles, Ian has done panto for 22 years.

Being in a healthcare setting was nothing new for Faye, 24, from Tettenhall, as she recently played a student midwife in the BBC daytime soap Doctors.

Patient Lilly-Mae Whitney, aged 10 from Wheaton Aston, was one of those who saw the cast. Dad Tom Whitney said: “It was great to see them – they really cheered her up and it was wonderful to see her smile.”

Safa Mudassir, 15 from Claregate, persuaded the cast to do a Tik Tok and appear on Facetime and said: “It’s really nice of them to come and see us. I’m going to see the panto now!”

Caroline Moreton, from Bilston, was with her eight-year-old daughter Scarlett. “Their costumes are really bright. We’re hoping to see the panto as a birthday treat,” said Caroline. The visit was organised by The RWT Charity and Amanda Winwood, Charity Development Manager said: “Thanks to the cast – we were delighted to see the actors and it was wonderful to see the impact, with wide smiles on the children’s faces.”

Liz Luton, Play Leader on Paediatrics, said: “The children loved it. It’s great that the actors came in and to see the patients’ faces made it all worthwhile.”

The cast of Intro to Panto Primary Schools Tour with Lilly-Mae Whitney

Couple’s £1,000 donation after cancer scare

A grateful couple donated £1,000 from their ruby wedding celebrations to RWT’s breast care unit.

Karen and Barry Palmer, who both work for the Trust, decided to celebrate their ruby anniversary along with a surprise renewal of their wedding vows. Instead of presents, they asked for donations from the 95 guests attending the ceremony, at the Park Hall Hotel and Spa in Wolverhampton, to support care for breast cancer patients.

Karen and Barry Palmer renewing their vows

Diagnosed following a routine mammogram last August 2021, Karen had surgery to remove the cancerous tissue as a day case in October 2021 before undergoing five sessions of radiotherapy. She had another mammogram which thankfully came back all clear.

“My cancer showed up on a routine mammogram but I’d always checked myself and couldn’t find anything, so it just shows how important it is to have your mammogram,” said Karen.

Karen, a Biomedical Scientist in Cytology, had all her treatment at New Cross Hospital and was delighted with the care she received.

“From day one, the minute I was diagnosed, I was seen quickly and the care I received was fantastic,” said Karen.

“A huge thank you too to the pathologists and laboratory staff for diagnosing me so promptly, and to the staff at Cannock Chase Hospital, where I had my mammogram and biopsies taken.

“The breast care service was brilliant too – there were a couple of times where I rang up and asked questions and they were really prompt in getting back to me.”

Relieved at Karen’s treatment and recovery, the couple arranged to renew their wedding vows, telling only their sons, with the rest of the invited guests thinking they had been invited to an anniversary party.

The date for the renewal was 12 August 2022 – almost exactly a year after Karen’s diagnosis – and virtually 40 years since they tied the knot, on August 14, 1982 at St Thomas’s Church Wednesfield, the day after Karen’s 21st birthday.

For their vow renewal, the couple presented each other with

new rings, Karen’s naturally containing a ruby stone, before they departed on a second honeymoon – a cruise around the Mediterranean.

“We set up a post box at the party for people to make donations and we thought we might raise £200 to £300, so didn’t expect anything like we received,” said Barry, a Clinical Technologist in Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering at New Cross Hospital. Collections were also made in their respective workplaces, which went towards the total.

The ceremony also helped raise awareness. “Some relatives and friends of mine had been putting off going for their mammograms, but they’ve now decided to get screened,” said Karen.

Karen and Barry Palmer pictured now and on their wedding day in 1982

Sadly, breast cancer runs in Karen’s family. Her mum Ida Jones underwent a lumpectomy (removal of cancerous breast tissue) at New Cross 27 years ago and had a mastectomy following a second bout of breast cancer. Two of Ida’s sisters also had the disease and although Doris survived, sadly, the eldest, Jane died.

“When I was first diagnosed, I was in floods of tears and thought it was the end of the world,” added Karen. “Our eldest son Jonathan was due to get married in August 2022 and I didn’t think I’d be here for that or perhaps not have my hair, so I had a lot of negative thoughts.

“Then I looked at my mum who overcame breast cancer and I realised there is hope. But I couldn’t have got through it without Barry. Since this has happened, I’m a lot more chilled about things. You just have to cherish every day and every moment of your life.”

Caroline Jones, Consultant Nurse in Breast Cancer, said: “We are delighted to receive such a generous donation. Hopefully this story will encourage everyone to be breast and chest aware and always report anything new or usual to their GP.”

Amanda Winwood, Charity Development Manager, said: “It’s wonderful Karen has recovered and we’re thrilled at the lovely gesture Karen and Barry have made to breast cancer patients.

“It’s important to highlight that both men and women should check their breasts and chests and report any changes.”

Lady Tiffany is star of the show!

thank you. Adults wore her favourite colour - pink.

She added: “We feel privileged to be able to make this donation. Lady Tiffany taught us to make the most of our time on the ward and we hope other families can make happy memories during their stay in her memory.

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were some delays installing the projector on the ward, but it was up in time for the Queen’s funeral which meant all the children were able to come together and have the opportunity to watch it.”

Liz Luton, Play Leader at the Trust, said: “We are so grateful to Stacey and her family for donating the projector and screen to the Children’s Ward.

A donation to benefit youngsters on New Cross Hospital’s Children’s Ward was made in memory of a three-yearold patient whose family worked hard with staff to take her mind off her treatment.

so we could watch The Polar Express on Christmas Eve. We all wore matching pyjamas and it felt like we were able to escape from our current situation for a while.

“This will enable us to have cinema nights for the patients and their families. It will also be lovely at Christmas time for us to show some movies to get everyone in the festive spirit. Previously we have loaned a projector from our IT department for this to happen; now that we have one of our own it gives us the flexibility to use it as often as we like. It will be well used in so many different ways.”

“We wanted to purchase a projector to be kept on the ward so other families and children could have the same pleasure as us whenever they need it – from ward movie nights to intimate family moments.

A projector and a cinema screen were bought for the ward and donated to the RWT Charity thanks to a fundraising Disney walk led by Tiffany Benjamin-Mcfarlane’s brother.

“Ricardo asked his cousins and friends to dress up as Disney characters to do a sponsored three mile walk from the hospital to the cemetery where Tiffany is buried to raise the money. They had all been to parties of hers on the ward, so it was a way for them all to say

Tiffany, known affectionately as Lady Tiffany, died on 20 September 2020 due to complications from extensive bleeding to her brain and lungs when she was born.

Stacey and Ricardo also do craft donations to mark various occasions in Tiffany’s memory from Halloween and Christmas to Valentine’s Day and Easter. They also make up toiletry and activity packs for parents and teenagers.

Her mum Stacey, who also has son, Ricardo, created Lady Tiffany’s Tributes which is a legacy set up in her honour. Tiffany spent most of her life on the Children’s Ward. During her time here, her family were fortunate enough to make many memories together which were supported by her medical team.

The Wolverhampton-based family decided to help other families in their position to make memories and offer distractions for other children in hospital.

Stacey said: “One of our fondest memories with Lady Tiffany was when Ricardo wanted to take her to the cinema.

“As she was too unstable to leave the ward, the medical team helped borrow a projector from another department

Young fundraiser’s £1,500 charity climb

Carl, 43, and Logan expect to spend eight hours walking up and down Snowdon. Taking the Llanberis Path – which is the longest but easiest of the six routes to the summit at 4.2 miles – they will ascend 3,166 feet, or 965 metres. But with the walk from the caravan site in Llanberis, they will end up trekking around 12 miles altogether. The pair often go for walks with mum Jodie, 40, at weekends, and when Carl mentioned they were walking up Snowdon and a colleague offered to sponsor them, the fundraiser was hatched.

Carl asked Logan, who was born five weeks premature at New Cross Hospital and spent a few days on the Neonatal Unit, where he would like the money raised to go.

When told children have to spend Christmas in hospital after thinking they would be sent home, Logan decided to raise money to buy presents for those spending the festive period in hospital.

“Logan loves his karate, but he’s a caring kid who’s generous, good mannered and puts others before himself,” said Carl.

“At school recently one of his friends didn’t have any money to buy sweets from the tuck shop so Logan gave him his money and he had none – he just said he’d get his another day.

“He was really surprised that the children have to stay in hospital over Christmas so said he wants to buy things, so hopefully with the money raised, we will be able to buy X-boxes and tablets. It will put a few smiles on people’s faces.

“Logan was very lucky as the care he had was amazing on all department wards, so Logan and us as a family will be forever grateful to the hospital, and we’re delighted to be giving something back to the hospital.”

As soon as they set up the Just Giving page, they were inundated with donations. Their initial £500 target set on Friday was smashed and by Wednesday, it had reached £1,500.

“We didn’t expect the response we’ve had – it certainly puts pressure on us to get the job done!” admitted Carl. “Thanks so much to everyone who has donated.”

As for the walk, Carl says they are prepared for challenging conditions and

Logan is unfazed by the distance – even if he thought he get out of it!

“We often go away in our motorhome and go on long walks and Logan has walked 10 miles before,” added Carl, who is a senior operations co-ordinator at logistics firm Pallet-Track.

“The weather doesn’t look favourable – 50mph winds are forecast, and at the top, it could be three or four degrees C and driving rain.

“When I first told Logan what we were doing he said he’d wait at the bottom for me with a pint, but when he thought about who he as doing it for, he quickly agreed to do it. We’ve got kitted out at Go Outdoors, which gave us a discount, so we should be fine. “We’re going to start at first light so the plan is to climb 200 feet by sunrise, then hopefully we’ll be at the summit by 11am and in the pub by 3pm!”

Logan’s exploits are being featured in an assembly today by his headteacher Philip Salisbury at Woodfield Primary School in Penn, while Carl is compiling a blog on their adventure and has set up a WhatsApp group to keep people informed of their progress.

Logan and dad Carl, ready for their walk up Snowdon

Care for “miracle” baby prompts £1,000 donation

A loving family donated more than £1,000 to help Wolverhampton’s vulnerable babies after their “miracle” daughter who weighed just half a bag of sugar at birth reached her 14th birthday.

Talitha Caris Sond weighed just 1lb 2oz when she was born at 23 weeks and six days at New Cross Hospital on 27 October, 2008. Fourteen years later, her parents were reunited with the consultant who helped save her life. Talitha didn’t have a heartbeat for four hours and was declared clinically dead before being revived by the care and skills of staff at RWT’s Neonatal Unit (NNU).

Parents Teerth and Usha Sond were told to expect the worst and warned their daughter could be deaf, blind and with a brain injury. But after heart surgery and five months in the unit, she pulled through and is now a healthy teenager, loving life.

Her name is taken from the bible, in the gospel of Mark, chapter five, when Jesus said: “Talitha koum” which means ‘little girl, arise’.

Tragically, Talitha’s sister, Aniya Gabriella Sond, died just two weeks after being born at New Cross on 2 October, 2012, spending her short life on the same unit.

But the couple were so impressed by the care and treatment their daughters had at New Cross they set up a charity called Voices of the Voiceless (VOTV). Through that, they wanted to do something to support other families in a similar situation. They would like the money to go towards incubator care. Teerth said: “This is a story of hope – Talitha is a miracle child. As soon as you go to the Neonatal Unit, you think ‘is my child going to be OK?’ But we saw the work of the staff there and we want to support their work.

“One day in the womb is like seven days in an incubator so the womb should be the most secure place for a baby, and we want to make a contribution towards incubator care for neonatal babies.

“We thought we were going through the same with Gabriella as we did four

Dad Teerth Sond, Sarah Crowshaw, Neonatal Unit Ward Manager, Amy Addiss, Senior Sister, Lucy Ageoye, Neonatal Staff Nurse, Ann Hazel (behind, almost hidden), Personal Assistant to Senior Management Team, Sarah Downes-Baugh, Neonatal Staff Nurse, Babu Kumaratne (in navy), Consultant Neonatologist, SmartglazeUK co-director Gurpal Sehmi, Louise Forsyth (in lilac uniform), Neonatal Support Worker, and SmartglazeUK co-director Charles Deward, and front, Talitha Sond

A total of £300 was raised by the Fellowship of Servants’ congregation, with VOTV contributing £400. A further £200 came from Smartglaze customer Harry Semhon, and £100 from Teerth’s parents Hari Ram and Gurimoto Kaur. An additional £50 came from Jass Singh, another SmartglazeUK customer, took the total to £1,050.

years previously with Talitha, but this time we saw the other side of the coin.

“The Nurses and Doctors did their best to save her but she suffered internal bleeding and died at 5pm on 16 October 2012. A member of staff (Chew Grainger, Neonatal Junior Sister, now retired) was with us when Gabriella breathed her last breath and she cried – the compassion she showed was real.

In remembering Aniya Gabriella’s life, Teerth takes a quote from Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch lady and Christian writer who survived the Nazi concentration camp after trying to protect Jews in her home and said: “The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation.”

“Even though she had tears, Gabriella never had a voice to speak out, but through her short life, VOTV was born. If I could carry a legacy that through my daughter’s death others have survived, I have done my job.”

Teerth added: “This is Aniya Gabriella’s story through VOTV. Through VOTV many babies lives have been saved.” If anyone else would like to make a donation, they should email VOTV at info@votv.org.uk

Teerth, 49, and Usha, 46, were reunited with Babu Kumararatne, Consultant Neonatologist, who helped saved Talitha’s life, along with other NNU staff to present a cheque for £700 to the RWT Charity, with the extra money coming in cash donations.

The couple, who have three other children, were joined at the presentation by fellow SmartglazeUK co-directors Gurpal Sehmi and Charles Deward.

Teerth is co-owner of home improvement firm SmartglazeUK and a registered pastor and minister at the Fellowship of Servants in All Saints, Wolverhampton.

Alfie’s Smile raises nearly £1,200 for Children’s Ward

A schoolboy brain cancer survivor raised almost £1,200 for the Children’s Ward where he was treated at New Cross Hospital.

Alfie Hinks, aged 13 from Bentley Bridge, has now been cancer free for nearly two years, after being diagnosed on September 16, 2019 with a medulloblastoma, or brain tumour. He had been suffering headaches, vomiting, losing weight and losing his balance.

Alfie Hinks with the cheque

Three days later, he underwent a 12-hour operation at Birmingham Children’s Hospital (BCH) to remove most of the tumour and was in hospital for three months.

Chemotherapy at BCH and radiotherapy at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital followed while Alfie had to learn to walk and talk again, because the tumour had affected his cognitive ability, mobility and eyesight. Throughout this time, Alfie was a patient at RWT, having his transfusions, scans and check-ups at New Cross Hospital.

He was able to ‘ring the bell’ to signal his recovery after his final chemotherapy session on 3 November 2020. As he recovered, Alfie decided he wanted to raise money for the hospitals that saved his life and he set up Alfie’s Smile, which is in the process of becoming a registered charity.

A total of 280 family and friends of Alfie’s raised £2,372 from a black tie ball held at Jacks Café and Bar in St John’s Retail Park in Wolverhampton city centre. The funds raised are being split equally between the Children’s Ward at New Cross and BCH.

Top prize was a champagne party for 70 people including a DJ and canapes

which was won by Tru Hair of Shipley who made Alfie’s hairpiece, their first for a child.

Items such as framed presentations of boxer Tyson Fury and footballers Fabio Silva and Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves and Liverpool’s Fabio Carvalho were auctioned off.

The winner of Ait-Nouri’s generously handed it back and it now sits proudly on Wolves fan Alfie’s bedroom wall. The youngster was even mascot for Wolves’ final home game of last season, against Norwich City.

Alfie and his family have now chosen items from a wishlist to benefit young patients, and he returned to the ward with mum Kerry Hinks, 38, brother Louie, aged three and sister Darcie, one to deliver the good news to staff.

“I want the money to go to oncology patients with cancer and I’d like to buy children games to play and video games,” said Alfie.

Alfie is now on a phased return back at Coppice Performing Arts School in Wednesfield, with one-to-one tuition to help him.

“We’re so grateful and thankful for the treatment Alfie has had and to the Children’s Ward,” said Kerry, a children’s services senior family support worker at City of Wolverhampton Council who has been married for 10 years to John, a project manager for water treatment firm H20 in Cheslyn Hay.

“I think I had Steph (Friedl, Paediatric and Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist) on speed dial! Alfie initially saw Dr Marita Macken and Dr Julie Brent at New Cross and Dr Martin English at BCH and his care was amazing throughout his treatment.”

Mum of two Steph Friedl looked after Alfie when he was at New Cross. She said: “Alfie was so poorly when he was diagnosed, but throughout his intensive treatment, he showed such courage and determination to get through it, even though he has faced – and continues to face – many challenges. “He definitely kept us on our toes and at times showed us who was the boss and in control, which was great to see!

“It is so nice for the team here at New Cross to continue to review Alfie to see how confident he has become. It’s also lovely that he continues to have that ‘Alfie Smile’ which we all love.”

Kirsty Lewis, Senior Matron, Children’s Acute Services, said: “We are so grateful to Alfie’s smile for choosing to support children’s services here at RWT. “Alfie has first-hand experience of being a patient with us and so he has brilliant insight into what we need to make things better and more comfortable for our oncology patients.

“His suggestion of more video gaming facilities and equipment will be top of our list and I have no doubt our future children and young people will be just as grateful to Alfie as we are.” Amanda Winwood, Charity Development Manager, said: “It was lovely to see Alfie looking so well – and cheeky – he certainly kept us all entertained!

“We’re delighted he and his family and friends have raised so much money and are so thankful he has chosen to donate it to the Children’s Ward.”

Mum Kerry Hinks, Alfie’s sister Darcie Hinks, patient Alfie Hinks, Steph Friedl, Paediatric Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Kirsty Lewis, Senior Matron, Children’s Acute Services, and Nicola Bradshaw, Senior Sister on Ward A2

Three Peaks leads to £2,000 for charity

“Sore thighs and toes – but definitely worth the pain” – so says a Nurse who raised £2,000 by scaling the Three Peaks for charity.

Nicki Teruel, Urology Clinical Nurse Specialist at RWT, climbed 11,180 feet (3,408 metres, over two miles) scaling Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon to raise money for the British Association of Urology Nurses (BAUN).

The hike up and down the highest mountains of Scotland, England and Wales was organised by line manager Clare

Nicki Turuel on the top of Scafell Pike

Waymont, Urology Consultant Nurse and President of BAUN, who joined Nicki climbing Ben Nevis.

BAUN is a charity which allows urology Nurses to expand their knowledge and further their education to the benefit of their patients.

“I’m more of a runner than a mountaineer,” said mum of two Nicki, who took around 30 hours to climb the three mountains, including driving between them.

Setting out for Ben Nevis, Nicki, who has worked at New Cross Hospital since she started her nurse training in 2000, and Clare started the climb with the weather in their favour, taking eight and a half hours, two hours longer than planned. A friend, Abbie Matthews, joined them on the walk.

One of the group struggled which meant they took four and a half hours to reach the top and most of the descent was in darkness. Two of the party went on ahead but Nicki stayed with her companion.

Some unexpected drama followed, however. “We lost the path – it was so scary. There was a waterfall and my logic was to follow the side of it, as it was going downhill,” said Nicki, who lives in Sedgley.

“But I didn’t realise there was a ravine and quite a drop

– which I was heading for. The other two girls screamed I needed to go up.

“I scrambled to the top of a steep bank on my hands and knees and eventually found some rocks which led to the path. I was so relieved.”

At Scafell Pike, the group set off at 6am, taking around five hours to get up and down the mountain.

“There was only two of us climbing Scafell and I’m so glad we didn’t do that one in the dark,” said Nicki.

“But we had to traverse a waterfall and the terrain is very rocky. You think you’re almost at the top but there are about four or five false summits before you get there.”

Finally, it was on to Snowdon, and, fortified by a McDonald’s meal, Nicki made it to the top and back down in four and a half hours.

“By this time, my thighs and toes were very sore,” admitted Nicki. “We took the Miners’ Track, which is the shortest route, yet probably involves the most rock climbing.

“The views there were absolutely spectacular – definitely worth all the pain. But the descent was really steep, which put extra pressure on the legs.

“We did laugh though as the sheep were bleating what sounded like “Claaaarrre”! I think we were a bit delirious by this point!

“We may not have managed to do it in 24 hours, however we completed it, which is a major achievement for us.”

Nicki, who prepared for the trek by running the Great North Run, clocking two hours, 16 minutes, and raised £670 for Macmillan, was indebted to colleague Helen Heap, who chauffeured her for the whole 1,000 mile trip.

“I had no prior mountaineering experience, apart from climbing Snowdon as a training hike beforehand,” she added.

Nicki Turuel on the top of Ben Nevis (left) and Snowdon

Sunny’s walk raises more than £3,400

A grateful breast cancer patient raised more than £3,400 for two wards at New Cross Hospital – with a little help from her friends.

Despite being unable to walk just two weeks beforehand, Sunny Mohindra-Payne, 48, climbed The Wrekin – Shropshire’s third highest peak at 1,335 feet (407 metres).

In front of Snowdrop Millennium Chemotherapy Suite in Deanesly Centre, from left, Sunny Mohindra-Payne, husband Trevor Payne, Nicola Barding, Next store manager, Telford Forge branch, daughter Yasmine Payne and Louise Tongue, Staff Nurse on Snowdrop Millennium Chemotherapy Suite

And she raised £3,455.11 for The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity to thank staff who looked after her on Snowdrop Millennium Chemotherapy Suite in Deanesly Centre, and Durnall Unit.

It was a real family affair too, as Sunny was joined by 35 of her family, friends and work colleagues, including husband Trevor, 52, daughters Yasmine, 27, and Anisa, 26 and son Kyan, 14 on the two-mile walk, which took around an hour and 20 minutes to complete.

Sunny, who manages the Next clothing store in Bentley Bridge, Wednesfield and lives in Wolverhampton, was joined by her counterpart at the Telford Forge branch Nicola Barding, who helped organise the event and made it a real ‘work social’.

Along with the tough gradient of the walk, another challenge was the dark, as the trek was done in the evening to allow as many store managers and assistant store managers as possible to take part after the stores had shut for the day. As a reward, they celebrated at the summit, raising a glass and lighting sparklers to celebrate Sunny’s achievement and to toast her recovery.

“I didn’t think I’d be able to do it because two weeks before it, I couldn’t walk, but with the aid of sticks and with Trevor’s arm around me, I managed it,” said a relieved Sunny.

“The Doctors and Nurses deserve this donation because they have been amazing to me and that’s what has got me through this. It’s quite daunting when you come into hospital for cancer treatment, but they make you feel so comfortable and confident.

“The store managers wanted to do something for me and then they asked me to choose a charity, so I asked for it to be for the people who had looked after me because they do such a great job.”

Nicola, 39, from Codsall, said: “Sunny is a really loved colleague and friend at Next and when we found out she was poorly we wanted to do something to show how much we care for her and support her.

“We came up with the idea of a walk up The Wrekin because we thought it would be a fun thing to do as a group of store managers and it quickly escalated to include Sunny’s family and friends.

“It’s fantastic that we were able to raise this sum of money for such a worthy cause.”

After being diagnosed on Valentine’s Day 2022 when she was referred following the discovery of a lump, Sunny had the tissue removed, then underwent chemotherapy.

“Since I’ve been diagnosed, some of the ladies at work are being more vigilant in checking themselves, and if what has happened to me helps one person, then it’s a good thing,” she added. “You never think it can happen to you, but this proves it can.

“I just ignored it for a bit but I showed it my daughter and she said ‘let’s get you to the doctor’s today’ so we did. I would urge everyone to check themselves regularly and if they spot anything, see a doctor.”

In front of the bell rung by patients when they have completed their cancer journey, from left, Louise Tongue, Staff Nurse on Snowdrop Millennium Chemotherapy Suite, Sunny, Trevor, Yasmine and Nicola

Along with her donation, Sunny also treated staff to samosas on her visits for chemotherapy. The money will be split 70-30 in favour of Snowdrop.

Gill Williams, Sister on Snowdrop Millennium Chemotherapy Suite, said: “We’re very grateful for this donation. We’ll make sure this money isn’t just to the benefit of staff but for the patients as well.

“We recognise that no one wants to come to hospital, so when they come here, they realise it’s not all doom and gloom and we try to give them the best patient experience possible. The patients make it easier for us as well because they’re so lovely.”

Amanda Winwood, The RWT Charity Development Manager, said: “We’re delighted to see Sunny is recovering from cancer and are full of praise for her efforts in doing the walk so soon after her treatment. We’re also really grateful for her generous donation.”

Gaming gift will bring joy to children

Gaming cart, with Jess Miree from RockinR, Kirsty Lewis, Senior Matron, Children’s Acute Services, Amanda Winwood, Charity Development Manager, and front, Alfie Hinks

A total of £1,400 has come from Logan towards the gaming cart, and £1,200 from Alfie, whose money was half the total he raised from a black-tie ball and auction through his own charity Alfie’s Smile. Logan’s remaining money bought toys for the Children’s Ward.

Children with cancer can now play FIFA from hospital after a £2,600 medical gaming cart was donated from young fundraisers – provided by an organisation hit by a double tragedy. Patient Alfie Hinks, 13, raised almost £1,200 for the Children’s Ward where he was treated at New Cross Hospital. Alfie, from Bentley Bridge, was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma, or brain tumour, in September 2019.

Their wishes turned into reality with The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity’s purchase of a medical gaming cart from TheRockinR.

Although he has now made a full recovery, Alfie spent a lot of time on the Children’s Ward over a two-year period before being given the all clear and said he wished he could have been able to do gaming when he was having his treatment.

Situated in the playroom on Ward A21 at New Cross, the cart, which is height adjustable and lockable, comes complete with 21 of the newest games – all restricted to age 12 – access to Netflix, Disney+, the internet and streaming services.

TheRockinR was the gaming name of Reece Miree, who tragically died of a brain tumour at the age of 11 in March 2018.

Logan Munday, aged six, from Goldthorn Park, raised £1,800 by climbing Snowdon and wanted the money to go to children spending Christmas in hospital.

Unable to cope with Reece’s death, his mum Carol took her own life in 2021

at the age of 47, devastating husband and Reece’s dad Jonny Miree. Despite losing two close family members, former Marine Jonny, 51, and daughter Jess Miree, 24, who are based in Wakefield, near Leeds, have continued to dedicate their lives to TheRockinR, which is now a national charity that has distributed more than 350 medical gaming carts to UK hospitals.

Jonny said: “Reece continued to do gaming until the very end of his life. It gave him satisfaction and belonging, knowing he was part of an online community he could take part in 24 hours a day. Without this, I’m certain that Reece’s battle with cancer would have been far worse.”

Jess said: “We do this in Reece’s name and to make people’s lives easier is great for us because we can see the difference it makes first-hand.

“The Xbox is much better than the PlayStation because the games are more age appropriate.”

Kirsty Lewis, Senior Matron, Children’s Acute Services, said: “We’re really grateful to Alfie, Logan and TheRockinR for this gaming cart because we wouldn’t be able to provide this without the donations.

“Video games are a really good distraction from the worries and anxieties of being in hospital. We find the children really respond well and it takes their mind off their treatment.”

Alfie, who tried out the gaming cart, said: “This is great – it takes your mind off things when you’re having your treatment.”

His mum Kerry, 38, said: “This is wonderful – Alfie could have done with something like this when he was in hospital, but it will benefit children who have to spend time on the ward.”

Amanda Winwood, RWT Charity Development Manager said: “We’re delighted to be able to present this to the Children’s Ward. It will make a real difference to our younger patients when they come in for their treatment, making their lives – and those of their families and staff – a little easier and less stressful.”

Foodbanks opened for staff

Free hot drinks and free bread for toast or a cereal bar are also being offered to all 16,000 staff across both RWT and partners Walsall Healthcare, as well as a subsidised hot meal for £1.50 each.

Foodbanks have opened at two Black Country hospitals as part of a package to support healthcare staff coping with the cost of living crisis.

Jo Flavell, Health & Wellbeing Specialist, Prof. David Loughton CBE, Group Chief Executive, Amanda Winwood, RWT Charity Development Manager, and Julie Smith, who is part of the Domestics team assisting in the Staff Wellbeing Hub, pictured outside the new Hub at New Cross Hospital

The Staff Wellbeing Hub at Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital and the Manor Lounge at Walsall Manor Hospital include a small food and essential items shop, while a temporary foodbank at the Manor Hospital has opened. The respective Trust charities are supporting the foodbanks.

The Trusts were alerted to the need to support colleagues from July and August onwards after being told some were struggling to afford to come to work because of the cost of living crisis. At New Cross, there is already a stream of regular customers at the hub for breakfast and the foodbank, while the same is expected at the Manor. Professor David Loughton CBE, Group Chief Executive of both Trusts, introduced subsidised hot meals for staff at £1.50 each, available from outlets at each main hospital site.

“We have a duty of care to support our staff and their wellbeing is our focus, so this gesture has been made to support them at a challenging time for so many people in our society,” said Professor Loughton. “Sadly, there is a real need for this service, and, we’re keen to do everything we can to help our colleagues.

“By doing this we know our staff are there for our patients, and they will not be going without a small meal or access to essentials.

“We are pleased to be able to offer this but extremely concerned too; our organisations are at risk of increased staff absence due to stress and the potential of increased vacancies if colleagues cannot afford to work due to the cost of living crisis.”

The foodbanks are open to all staff, including those working in the community and Cannock Chase Hospital and West Park Hospital.

Donations of goods to both foodbanks are gratefully accepted. Anyone interested in donating should contact Amanda Winwood at Wolverhampton via email at: amanda.winwood@nhs.net

Amanda Winwood, Joanne Flavell, Julie Smith, Mark Ondrak, Zoe Marsh, David Loughton

Children bring Christmas cheer to patients

Children from St Terera’s Primary School with left, Amie Rogers, Charity Fundraising and Lead Digital Engagement Officer, and, far right, Amanda Winwood, Charity Development Manager

Children from a Wolverhampton school brought some festive cheer to patients who will be spending Christmas in hospital.

Pupils from St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School in Parkfields made Christmas cards and sang carols at New Cross Hospital, with the cards being distributed to patients and staff. Headteacher Stacey McHale said: “Part of our Christian values is that we encourage the children to think of those in most need at Christmas.

“So, by making handmade cards and singing carols we aim to spread some of that love and peace at Christmas time.”

Children also raised more than £100 from their Christmas jumper day which they donated to Save The Children.

Mercy, aged seven, made a card with pop-up Christmas trees. The Year 3 pupil said: “We celebrate Advent when Jesus was born and we give thanks to God. We’re going to give the cards to people in hospital to cheer them up and give them a smile at Christmas time.”

Pastoral teacher Emma Price said: “The children made cards for patients who won’t be home for Christmas and to thank staff and sang at New Cross

“Their efforts will help bring some cheer to patients as well as boost staff who are working at Christmas. “It was also lovely having the children visit to spread some cheer with Christmas carols and songs – they all did an amazing job and sounded wonderful.”

Hospital. We thought it would be a really nice way for the school to give back and show community spirit.”

Amanda Winwood, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust’s Charity Development Manager said: “It was lovely to see the colourful designs the children had produced with their cards and we’re very grateful for what they have done.

Children from St Terera’s Primary School

Alex’s Everest Base Camp walk raises over £4,000

An intrepid accountant had a 50th birthday with a difference – trekking to Mount Everest Base Camp to raise over £4,000 in honour of his late brother. Alex Howes, who works for the Clinical Research Network West Midlands (CRN WM), hosted by The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, walked 130 kilometres (miles) to South Base Camp in Nepal and back. In doing so, he reached a height of 5,364 metres – nearly three and a half miles. He was raising money after his eldest brother Stuart died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 53 on 6 September 2021.

Having previously scaled 5,800 metres to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, last August when he raised £4,200, Alex is used to challenging walks, but admitted this 11-day trek topped them.

“The summit at Kilimanjaro was the hardest physical thing in my life – however, Everest Base Camp was harder,” said Alex.

“It wasn’t as wintry or as snowy as I expected, although there was thick ice at the camp. It was eight days uphill but coming down was worse because it was really steep, and because I’d been walking for so long.”

Most mornings he would start walking at 8am but on two days he began at 6am and he would walk anything from eight to 14 hours a day.

Days three and six were ‘rest’ days when he acclimatised, which still involved walking for four hours. Other challenges included avoiding eating meat, due to health and safety concerns, while it was so cold at night

Alex Howe celebrating his achievement

A fall saw Alex land on the left hand side of his head, resulting in him being totally paralysed down the right hand side of his body, spending nearly 12 months in hospital, also receiving speech therapy and occupational health.

that a glass of water next to Alex’s bed froze!

“My birthday fell on one of the rest days and the ‘tea house’ (hotel) where we stayed the night provided me with a cake,” he added.

“At night the weather was so cold. The altitude of the highest hotel was 5,200 metres and that was when my water froze. The air was so thin that I’d wake up gasping for breath and you’d be tired even bending down to tie your shoelaces!”

Half of the money – £1,852.50 – went to the RWT Charity to be spent at the Heart and Lung Centre at New Cross Hospital, while the other half went to the British Heart Foundation.

Amanda Winwood, RWT Charity Development Manager, said: “Alex chose an unusual way to celebrate his 50th birthday but his walk showed how dedicated he is to raise money in honour of his late brother Stuart.

As if those challenges weren’t enough, Alex also had to watch out for the resident yaks (ox-like mammal), which have been known to literally boot walkers off the path!

“This outstanding contribution will provide much-needed funds to support patients at our Heart and Lung Centre and we’re very grateful for his efforts.”

Alex’s achievements are even more remarkable after he was partly paralysed at the age of 19, following a road accident.

Corrie star helps fund donation

47, from Bilston. “So this donation is a small thank you for the care they provide to him and hundreds of patients across the city. The NHS does a fantastic job.

“We were thrilled to see ‘Kirk’ and he loved it – he was singing karaoke and dancing with everyone. It was a great night.”

Jean Shears, Senior Matron for Renal and Diabetes, said: “This money will make a massive difference and we are really grateful for it. We will make sure it’s put to good use.”

Mckala’s fundraisers have previously seen £6,000 handed over to the Trust’s Neonatal Unit (NNU) a year ago, £4,000 to the RWT’s Integrated Critical Care Unit in 2021 and £3,000 to Animal Shelters in Willenhall in 2020.

Amanda Winwood, Charity Development Manager, said: “Mckala never fails to amaze us with her fundraising. We’re delighted she has decided to donate this sum to the Diabetes Centre and I’m sure patients will feel the benefit.”

From left: Mckala Harrold, Sue Huddart, Senior Podiatrist, Dr Rajeev Raghavan, Consultant, Jean Shears, Senior Matron for Renal and Diabetes, and Kirsty Hadlington, Mckala’s friend

money for causes close to her heart, and this time it was the turn of the Diabetes Centre at New Cross Hospital and the Air Ambulance.

A Coronation Street star pulled in the punters to help a serial fundraiser donate £2,520 to Wolverhampton’s Diabetes Centre.

Mckala says has the Trust to thank for her life. Her and twin sister Sally-Ann Whitehouse were born prematurely to mum Angela Harrold, also from Bilston, at New Cross weighing just three pounds and two pounds 10 ounces respectively.

Mckala’s father Keith Harrold, 71, has Type 2 diabetes, while friends, Marley Dodd aged eight, and Janine Oakley, who helps her fundraise, have Type 1 diabetes.

Andrew Whyment, who plays Kirk Sutherland in the long-running ITV soap, was the star guest for Mckala Harrold’s latest annual fundraiser for the RWT Charity.

“My dad has been receiving treatment at the Diabetes Centre and they have done wonders for him,” said Mckala,

Actor Andrew, 41, appeared at Gilbert’s Bar in Willenhall with locals paying £10 a ticket to see him. Other proceeds from Mckala’s Facebook page Celebrity Random Raffle also enabled the fundraiser, from Bilston, to donate the same £2,500 sum to the Air Ambulance.

They spent eight months on the NNU before they were finally allowed home.

Celebrity Random Raffle hosts a twiceweekly raffle with people paying 20p or a £1 a go. Membership of the page stands at 3,000.

Over the last four years Mckala has persuaded Danny Miller, who was formerly Aaron Dingle in Emmerdale, Jamie Lomas – Hollyoaks’ Warren Fox – Coronation Street’s Maria Connor, played by Samia Longchambon, and Eastenders’ Jack Branning, played by Scott Maslen, to make celebrity appearances.

Andrew Whyment, aka Kirk Sutherland, singing karaoke, and with Mckala Harrold and her friend Janice Oakley

Every year Mckala’s appeals raise

Just the tonic for young patients

A sing song to help the medicine go down could be just what the doctor ordered for young patients at New Cross Hospital if a charity appeal hits the right note with supporters.

The RWT Charity has been working with the Ex-Cathedra Singing Medicine Team which brings its songs and games to poorly youngsters in hospital to improve their health and wellbeing.

And in February, the Charity launched an appeal to prescribe Singing Medicine to Wolverhampton patients for a whole year after seeing how delighted they, their parents and Trust staff have been by recent visits.

Little Euriel, aged two, pictured, is just one of many patients who has enjoyed this very special treatment while in hospital.

His mum, Marthr Makah, said: “His face just lit up with the singing games and he was waving, dancing and playing. It has really made me smile when I’m tired and worried too so thank you!”

Marianne Ayling who started the Singing Medicine project back in 2004 at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, said: “We have so many stories of seeing children benefit from singing play such as this.

“One little boy we entertained was crying and coughing so badly that he was struggling to breathe. But sitting up with us, listening, then joining in

Amanda Winwood, Charity Development Manager, said she hoped supporters would get behind such a worthwhile charity appeal.

meant his breathing calmed down and his coughing stopped. This helps worried parents too, of course because we all know how distressing it is to see young children in hospital.”

“We want to raise £30,000 to be able to fund Singing Medicine for a year at New Cross Hospital which we know will make a real difference to our young patients, their parents and carers,” she said.

Clare Acton, Acute Paediatrics Matron at the Trust said having Singing Medicine on the ward had boosted staff morale too.

“We can have difficult days and are supporting parents and carers in some challenging circumstances when their children are poorly. To walk around the corner and hear such lovely singing boosts our mood too,” she said.

“Watching the joy on children’s faces when Singing Medicine has visited has been priceless. The effect this has on patients can’t be underestimated and we are determined to reach our fundraising goal.”

“It is really good for our patients’ wellbeing and their cognitive development and it’s lovely to see their smiles and hear their laughter.”

To support please contact the charity team on rwh-tr.fundraisingteam@nhs. net or donate at Just Giving - Singing Medicine at RWT.

Memorial wall mural created for much-loved Pete

An inscription on the mural reads: “This mural commemorates the outstanding contribution made by Pete Moxon to the development and delivery of respiratory physiological services across Wolverhampton and Cannock.

“Pete dedicated his 32-year NHS career to improving professional standards, enhancing patient experience, promoting excellence in respiratory measurement and representing healthcare scientists at the highest level.”

Pete’s family was invited to the official unveiling and love the mural. Together with wife Jane for 24 years and married for 15 years, he left daughter Olivia, 18 and son Finley, 12.

Pete Moxon’s former colleagues Rosemary Steel (left) and Andy Pritchard in front of the mural.

black Labrador-cross-Collie. Andy Pritchard, Acting Chief Respiratory Physiologist and Acting Clinical Service Manager at RWT, said: “Pete was a fantastic friend, colleague and role model. He always strived to ensure the Respiratory Physiology team was such a positive place to work. “Pete cared so much about our profession and worked tirelessly to improve standards and promote excellence, his contribution to Respiratory Physiology and the wider NHS was enormous.

A memorial wall mural has been created as a touching tribute to an “outstanding” Wolverhampton clinician who died unexpectedly.

His widow Jane said: “This mural is such a fantastic tribute to Pete and the contribution he made to the NHS. He put his heart and soul into everything he did, he believed in his team and cared very deeply for every one of them.

Pete Moxon, who was the Clinical Service Lead for Respiratory and Sleep Physiology at RWT, passed away on 17 October 2022 at the age of 51.

Most recently Chair of the Association for Respiratory Technology and Physiology (ARTP) standards committee, Pete was hugely respected both regionally and nationally in his field and served RWT for more than 21 years. In 32 years with the NHS, he also spent six years at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust prior to joining RWT.

“We are all truly devastated by his passing away so suddenly. We all continue to be so very proud of him and his achievements, he will be forever missed.”

“For the mural, we wanted to include a picture of Pete, the text, departmental logo etc., and the design team did a great job of putting it all together in a fabulous contemporary design.

Dr Helen Ward, Respiratory Consultant at RWT, said: “Pete was a wonderful and dedicated colleague to work with and this is a wonderfully fitting tribute to him and his work.”

Among Pete’s many achievements during his distinguished career was his introduction of a drive-through spirometry service at New Cross Hospital during COVID-19, which had such a significant impact in reducing spirometry waiting lists.

“The whole team thinks it’s brilliant. It looks even better in reality than on the screen and we’re very happy with it. In the short time it’s been up, it’s received many positive comments from patients.”

Pete’s uniform still keeps a watchful eye over the Respiratory Centre as a teddy bear sits proudly wearing part it next to his framed photo.

As a tribute to him and his work, colleagues, friends, family and the ARTP clubbed together to raise £2,350 via a JustGiving page to create a piece of vinyl wall art.

Measuring some 12 feet long, the stunning full colour vinyl now takes pride of place in the patient waiting area in the Respiratory Centre, Ward B1 at New Cross Hospital, where Pete worked. The remaining shortfall was met by The RWT Charity.

The mural depicts Fair Oak Pools on Cannock Chase, where Pete, who lived with his family near Chasewater, used to walk Peny, his nine-year-old Welsh

Pete’s family in front of the mural erected in his honour.

Golfers raise £4,500

Dean Gritton, Group Manager, Renal and Diabetes at RWT, Brett Healey, Senior Diabetes Specialist Nurse, Dr Rajeev Ragavan, Consultant and Clinical Director at RWT, Tracey Gamston, Ladies Captain at South Staffordshire Golf Club, and Wendy Cotterill, former Ladies Captain at South Staffordshire Golf Club.

A series of events including a black-tie summer ball, a raffle, a disco with a live band, a festive afternoon tea and donations in lieu of sending Christmas cards – which alone raised £200 – pushed the total to £4,500.18.

Generous golfers clubbed together to raise £4,500 to support the treatment of diabetes patients in Wolverhampton. Members of South Staffordshire Golf Club nominated The RWT Charity as their chosen cause for the year in recognition of diabetic colleague Wendy Cotterill.

Caring and compassionate people from all over the community joined together – 120 packed out the ball, the tea was serenaded by the Brewood Singers choir singing carols and many businesses in Tettenhall donated prizes for the raffle.

Mum of three Wendy, 64, has been a patient at the Wolverhampton Diabetes Centre at New Cross Hospital for more than 20 years after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 27. The retired restaurant owner from Tettenhall was ladies’ captain of the club but was unable to raise funds during her year as skipper due to the COVID-19 lockdown, so Tracey Gamston, who succeeded her, decided to raise money for the same charity.

“It’s a fantastic amount of money to raise in the current climate,” said Tracey, who also thanked all the members for their support during her year. “Everyone has done something to help. The male members came to the summer ball and we had some lovely prizes for the raffle.

“I chose the charity because Wendy has been a great support to me so I wanted to support her. The summer ball was such a success that it will become an annual event.”

Dr Rajeev Ragavan, Consultant and Clinical Director at RWT, Brett Healey, Diabetes Specialist Nurse at RWT and Dean Gritton, Group Manager, Renal and Diabetes at RWT, attended the presentation and the group received a complimentary four-ball to play at South Staffs.

Dr Ragavan said: “What they’ve done for us is wonderful – I’m thunderstruck by the amount raised and it’s been very gratefully received.

“Diabetes is an increasingly very common condition and it affects some people’s life and health a lot with its complications, so the contribution is very welcome as it will go towards helping patients with this condition.

“This is only possible because of patients like Wendy who aren’t shy of raising the profile of diabetes or saying they’re living with it. I said to Wendy, ‘one can carry a small burden for an hour or a day, but living with a chronic disease like diabetes is a big burden for life’.”

Dr Ragavan said the money will be used to buy communication devices and educational material to aid better care in outpatients for diabetes.

Grandmother of one Wendy, a former buyer for the NHS and a South Staffs member for nine years, said: “We’re so pleased with the amount raised and Tracey has been fabulous.”

Amanda Winwood, Charity Development Manager, said: “We’re delighted at the fantastic response South Staffs have had to their fundraising and thank them very much. Their generosity will help diabetes patients like Wendy.”

Arts and Heritage RWT Arts and Heritage Group

Purpose

Established in 2020, the purpose of the Arts and Heritage Group (AHG) is to produce projects which use the arts to enhance the experience of patients, staff, visitors, and the wider community, and to increase historical awareness in relation to Wolverhampton’s hospital heritage. We were fortunate enough to appoint an Arts and Heritage Coordinator into post and she started in November 2022.

Membership

The AHG is made up of representatives from across RWT, as well as nominated lay members and representatives from external partnered organisations. Additionally, the role of Arts and Heritage Project Co-ordinator was created to identify, develop, and deliver projects which work towards the group’s aims.

The AHG is responsible for the implementation of the Arts and Heritage Strategy, supporting and guiding the work of the Project Co-ordinator, and advising on fundraising to deliver planned projects and activities.

Further details on the membership of the AHG can be found in the group’s Terms of Reference.

Audience

The projects and activities delivered by the AHG will seek to benefit patients and their families, visitors, and the wider community in Wolverhampton. AHG activity will offer this audience with opportunities for creative freedom, self-expression, and the improvement of wellbeing. This contributes towards RWT and Walsall Healthcare’s joint strategic aims to excel in the delivery of care and improve the health and wellbeing of our communities.

Projects will also be delivered that benefit staff at RWT. In some cases, these projects will respond to the input and ideas from RWT’s several Employee Voice Groups (EVGs). This works towards RWT and Walsall Healthcare’s joint strategic aim of supporting our colleagues, by elevating and celebrating the diverse voices across the workforce.

Locations

Arts and heritage projects will take place across Wolverhampton. Some activity will take place at RWT’s sites; where a project generates a creative output for display, these will likely be installed at New Cross Hospital. Other projects, particularly those with a community focus, will take place in city centre locations to make them as accessible and inclusive as possible. Activity delivered in partnership with local arts and heritage organisations may utilise the venues or spaces these organisations can offer. Furthermore, projects which have a digital output will be shared online, through RWT’s website and social media.

Art & Heritage Group Aims

The aims of the AHG are informed by RWT’s values and strategic aims outlined below. The following three areas of focus provide a framework for the projects and activities carried out by the AHG.

To contribute to and enhance the healing environment for patients, visitors, and our wider community (Care)

To develop community connections between RWT and local arts and heritage individuals and organisations (Community) To explore and exhibit the history of healthcare in relation to RWT, its workforce, and the wider city (Colleagues)

To contribute to and enhance the healing environment for patients, visitors, and our wider community (Care)

To develop community connections between RWT and local arts and heritage individuals and organisations (Community)

To explore and exhibit the history of healthcare in relation to RWT, its workforce, and the wider city (Colleagues)

Healing Environment

RWT is proud to provide high-quality care across its sites. The AHG will contribute to and enhance the healing environment at RWT by pursuing the following objectives:

Community Connections

History of Healthcare

RWT has a rich history of healthcare provision. The AHG will explore and exhibit the history of healthcare and its advancements in Wolverhampton by pursuing the following objectives:

Workshop launched by Charity

Budding artists were invited to try new skills at a series of workshops offering people the chance to produce a mini magazine for patients and visitors to New Cross Hospital. Weekly workshops at Wolverhampton Art Gallery took place through February and March 2023. No prior skills were needed, and participants didn’t have to bring any materials – just a willingness to try new things.

The course, funded by The RWT Charity, aimed to improve people’s wellbeing by offering the opportunity to connect with others and practice creative mindfulness. Through the sessions, participants learnt new skills and produced their own artwork to keep or give as gifts.

The four workshops featured different mediums such as painting and printmaking, and produced art which could be brought together into a zine, or mini magazine.

Elinor Cole, Arts and Heritage Co-ordinator, said: “Zines are a brilliant way to boost mood and create connection. These workshops offered people an exciting opportunity to try their hand at something new.

“We’re really looking forward to re-introducing arts activity that will benefit the community, as well as those visiting or being treated at New Cross.”

Each workshop was led by a different local artist or arts group. These included Alexandra Hatfield from Cannockbased Saredon Studios, and Alex Vann and Gary O’Dowd from Real Arts Workshops.

As well as keeping their finished pieces, participants received three printed copies of their zine to gift to friends or family. Printed canvasses of several artworks created during the workshops were displayed at New Cross Hospital. Copies of the zines were distributed around New Cross Hospital in waiting rooms and wards, to boost wellbeing among patients, visitors, and staff.

Alexandra Hatfield at one of her workshops

Legacies

It’s a common myth that only the rich and famous leave money to charity when they die. This couldn’t be any further from the truth. The reality is that without gifts left in wills by people like you, many of the charities we know, and support wouldn’t even exist.

Often donors have experienced first-hand the high level of care and expertise on offer at RWT Tand want to ensure future patients continue to have access to cutting-edge technology and excellent facilities.

Over the years, the legacies left by compassionate donors have been a vital source of funding for our charity. A staggering £454,868.02 was donated in legacies in the year leading up to 31 March 2023 alone!

Leaving a legacy to ‘The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust

Charity’ allows you to play a supporting role in helping patients, staff, and families long into the future. The money that the charity receives from the wills of donors is used according to their wishes, to pay for research, fund projects and buy equipment.

Thankfully 74% of the UK population support charities and when asked, 35% of people say they’d happily leave a gift in their will once family and friends had been provided for. The problem is only 7% actually do. That’s why, if we all leave some money in our wills for charity as well as our family, we can make a huge difference.

Leaving a gift in your will is a wonderful act of selflessness, and ‘Your Trust Charity’ is extremely grateful to all those donors who consider supporting The Charity in this manner.

Riley’s life transformed after £442,000 donation

An “amazing” facility built at New Cross Hospital from a former patient’s generous donation of £442,000 has transformed the life of a young boy receiving treatment for leukaemia.

The sum of £442,142 – one of the largest received by The RWT Charity – came from Michael Worrall, who chose to donate the money through a gift in his will.

Worrall Suite, from left: Dr Julie Brent, Prof. David Loughton CBE, Group Chief Executive, Kirsty Lewis, Senior Matron for Children’s Acute Services and Rick Williams, solicitor

Mr Worrall, who didn’t have any close family, was a former patient at New Cross Hospital who died on 15 September 2016 at the age of 78. His donation has funded The Worrall Suite – two new specialist cubicles to treat children with cancer on the Children’s Ward.

Patient Riley Weaver-Harrison was one of the first to use the new suite. Seven-year-old Riley, from Cannock, has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), a type of blood cancer that starts from white blood cells in the bone marrow which requires regular chemotherapy to control it.

He also has neutropenia, condition which means he has a low number of white blood cells and weakens the immune system.

When first diagnosed at the age of five, he missed nine months of schooling and his illness means he is more susceptible to viruses and infection.

Riley has to be monitored closely and has spent much of the last two years in hospital – a minimum of two days at a time, mostly in the Worrall Suite.

Each cubicle – which are about three times the size of the side room Riley used to have to use – is equipped like a wet room with a spacious air-conditioned bedroom and en suite, with plenty of natural light.

As the suite is away from the wards, the risk of infection is reduced, while there’s even an X-box console to help keep young patients occupied. Like Riley, other young oncology patients benefit from the Worrall Suite.

“We’re immensely grateful for this facility and the amazing generosity of Mr Worrall,” said Riley’s mum Sara WeaverHarrison, a therapeutic support worker.

“As soon as Riley gets to hospital, all the Nurses, Doctors and oncology staff joke that it’s called the ‘Riley Suite’! When he comes in, he walks to it like it’s his own – a second home.

“Before the suite was opened, Riley was in a room near the nurses’ station and struggled to sleep at night with the telephone ringing. Going there has massively changed his life and brought him some happiness.”

Rick Williams, Mr Worrall’s solicitor, of R N Williams & Co, said: “Mike was a kind, generous man who, unfortunately was struck down by cancer. He spent long and painful times in hospital, having had part of his vocal organs removed, but remained cheerful and his usual helpful self.

“He saved his earnings and wanted to make a difference. Mike instructed me to make sure any funds he left and which were surplus should be used for the benefit of the children in the cancer wards at New Cross Hospital. Mike would be very impressed at what has been done.

“I’m glad the children and their families who use the facilities are aware that a man they didn’t know wanted to make their lives better.”

Additional funds were used to buy educational equipment, including a laptop, for older children to occupy them during their treatment. A plaque commemorating Mr Worrall’s generous gesture was also unveiled.

Kirsty Lewis, Senior Matron for Children’s Acute Services, said: “We’re so incredibly grateful for the extremely kind and generous bequest from Mr Worrall. Many of our oncology patients spend a considerable amount of time on the ward.”

“These new cubicles mean we’re able to care for them in a specially-adapted environment in their local hospital which offers them increased protection from infection while they undergo treatment.

“Our new cubicles also offer increased comfort for families with parent beds and televisions.”

Riley Weaver-Harrison in the Worrall Suite

Corporate and External Donations Charity receives donation from Bilston Rotary Club

From left, Councillor Phil Page, Councillor Greg Brackenridge, the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Andy Baker, President of the Bilston Rotary Club and Amie Rogers, RWT Charity Community and Events Fundraiser

Swimmers made a splash to raise £1,500 for The RWT Charity to coincide with Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.

All six have some connection to Bilston, whether they live in the town or are part of the Bilston Rotary Club.

Six people of all ages swam 20 lengths of the pool at Bert Williams Leisure Centre in Wednesfield to raise the money for Bilston Rotary Club, which donated the money to the Trust’s Charity.

Andy Baker, club president, said: “One of the reasons Bilston Rotary chose to raise money for bowel cancer within the Deanesly Centre (at New Cross Hospital) was because a wife of one of the members was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2020.

“Her care and treatment by the department, throughout the whole procedure was excellent. This prompted our club to show our grateful thanks. She is now clear of this terrible disease.”

Phil Page, Bilston Councillor, whose 11-year-old grandson Alex Solomon took part and raised £200, added: “We all thought it was a great idea to raise money so nominated The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity on this occasion, along with Good Shepherd Relief in Need.”

Councillor Greg Brackenridge, Mayor of Wolverhampton, said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to be present when the cheques were presented by the Bilston Rotarians to the Trust for bowel cancer treatment in the sum of £1,500 and also £4,000 to the Good Shepherd in Wolverhampton.

“I’m very proud that the Rotarians in Bilston do so much for all local charities, including my own, the Mayor’s charities of Wolverhampton.

“So I’d like to thank everyone involved and wish them the very best in their fundraising efforts in the way they support the vulnerable people in our community.”

Rachel Robinson, former Digital Engagement Fundraising Officer for The RWT Charity, said: “We’re delighted Bilston Rotary Club choose to donate this money to our charity and are pleased the care the member’s wife received has resulted in her getting the all clear. The money will go towards continuing to enhance the care patients receive.

“We are also very grateful to the swimmers for their efforts – well done everyone!”

Generous support received from Crafting for Communities

Crafting For Communities is a charity that crafts for the community making useful items that bring joy or relieve discomfort to our patients. They make and distribute between 3 – 5,000 items per month for our community. The RWT Charity has been fortunate enough to receive regular deliveries of items such as knitted heart pairs, teddies and toys, Neonatal clothing, scarves and hats, toiletry packs, care bags for cancer patients, sensory items, period pouches, worry monsters and worry worms to help support patients in hospital.

The charity has 16 hubs throughout the Dudley borough and beyond, including Kidderminster, Birmingham, Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire. The group has around 2,700 Facebook members who either make, volunteer or support. Without its fabulous team of volunteer drivers distributing to the hubs and the communities it supports, charities like ours wouldn’t be able to bring joy and comfort to patients.

Stroke patient, Ann, was overjoyed to receive a blanket and twiddle muff. She said: “This will help keep me warm when it drops cold at home in my flat”. We would like to express our gratitude to Crafting For Communities for its continuous support over the years and we hope to continue our work together in the future.

Pictures show items we have received from Crafting For Communities.

Hair stylists donate vouchers for Nurses Day

Nurses at RWT already tried to be a cut above the rest but they definitely were after a generous donation on International Nurses Day.

Hair stylists Urban Coiffeur of Wednesfield donated 400 cups of coffee and vouchers offering 20 per cent discount off any haircut and/or styling as a thank you to staff at the Trust.

Sarah Shinton, who runs the business on Wood End Road with business partner Sonia Sparrow, made the generous offer after being treated as a patient at Wolverhampton’s New Cross

Hospital.

“I had a molar pregnancy (where there’s a problem with a fertilised egg, which means a baby and a placenta do not develop the way they should) and had to undergo a lot of treatment at New Cross,” said Sarah.

“I had chemotherapy every other day for six months so I really got to know some of the nurses well and got an insight into how hard they work.

“I was looked after really well and it made me think about giving back to the community, so I thought I’d start by doing this.”

Children get a cuddle after gift of teddy bears

Play leader Dil Uppal with Brielle Foster-Matthews 5yrs in the sensory room on the childrens ward, New Cross Hospital.

Young patients attending New Cross Hospital can now receive a cuddle from their own teddy bear after a generous donation from the Freemasons.

Teddies for Loving Care (TLC) started as a way of providing much-needed comfort to children in Emergency Departments, helping to reduce the shock and distress of their experience.

The initiative is managed by Freemasons who also volunteer their time to run the scheme. Since its inception in 2001, more than three million teddies have been distributed to hospitals and organisations throughout England and Wales.

A total of 162 individually sealed bears have been handed over for young patients who attend New Cross Hospital and the community to make their journey a little bit brighter.

James Cairns, TLC representative from the Freemasons, visited the hospital to make the donation and Dil Uppal, Play Leader, met with staff from The RWT Charity to accept them on behalf of Children’s Services.

James said: “A hospital visit can be a frightening experience for a young child, especially in an emergency situation. Every child that receives a teddy gets to take it home.”

Dil said: “Thanks so much to the Freemasons for the kind donation of teddies. The patients absolutely love them. They put a smile on every child’s face. They are very comforting for those who are having surgery too. They help to make the patients have a more relaxed and comfortable stay with us.”

Amie Rogers, Community and Events Fundraiser at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Charity said: “A huge thank you to Jim and Freemasons for their generous donation of teddies. They really make a difference to our young patients during their

visit to hospital.”

The work of TLC is funded through the generous donations of Freemasons, their families and supporters of the programme. Many Freemasons also volunteer hundreds of hours each year to manage the scheme, deliver bears to hospitals and other organisations and campaign to raise funds and increase awareness through events and talks.

The TLC teddy has become an invaluable tool for healthcare staff and a real comfort for children, used to calm them down, reward them for being brave or to demonstrate procedures. Often the bears distract poorly children so Nurses and Doctors can get their jobs done quickly and efficiently.

Patients benefit from rehab equipment

Pictured from left, Paul Baugh, Secretary of the Fund, Lou Jones, Group Manager, Phil Chew (on bike), Clare Banks, Matron for Rehabilitation, Ray Briggs, Cyril Barrett, Chair and Trustee of the Fund and John Humphries

Patients at West Park Hospital can now benefit from new rehabilitation equipment thanks to a generous donation of more than £13,000.

The 5/344 Transport and General Workers Union Benevolent Scheme (ex-Goodyear workers) bought three pieces of equipment costing a total of £13,398.95 to help patients in rehabilitation.

Two Metomed movement therapy bicycles in the gym will help wheelchair users and patients recovering from strokes, while a SaeboMAS Mini machine assists in strengthening upper arm muscles.

Clare Banks, Matron for Rehabilitation, said: “On behalf of the patients and staff at West Park Hospital, I would

like to express my gratitude to Cyril and the TGWU for their very generous donation.

“The new equipment will enable patients who have suffered a neurological event to improve their rehabilitation outcomes as they will have access to specialist exercise bikes that will improve the strength in their arms and legs.

“The patients are very excited to start using this equipment. Thank you so much.”

Two ex-members of the Fund now work at West Park Hospital – Porters John Humphries and Phil Chew – while Paul Baugh, Secretary of the Fund, and Ray Briggs, who both joined the presentation, are ex-members too.

The donation is the latest in a long series from the 5/344 Transport and General Workers Union Benevolent Fund, which has now donated more than £440,000 to projects at RWT over the last five years.

Cyril Barrett, Chair and Trustee of the Fund, said: “We have many exGoodyears workers who have been supported by staff at West Park Hospital, including a friend of mine who had a stroke and is sadly no longer with us.

“On behalf of the Fund, we are grateful for the dedication and commitment of the medical teams, doctors, nurses and volunteers who provide outstanding care to the local community.”

Donation helps stroke patients

Stroke and neurology patients at RWT are benefiting from a helping hand thanks to a charity’s generous donation of more than £5,000.

Willenhall Area Relief Rehabilitation And Nursing Trust (WARRANT) has provided £5,775.90 to pay for the E-LINK Upper Limb Exerciser rehabilitation equipment at West Park Hospital.

Many of the 500 outpatients on Stroke Services’ caseload will be using the games-based treatment tool to treat the many impairments that can result from a stroke, through upper limb exercises and pinch grip attachments. Patients can access more than 30 different games from the Upper Limb Exerciser on a one-to-one basis to enable functional, repetitive movements, and the resistance can be graded for improving the difficulty of the exercise.

Grip attachments help improve grip strengths and games support information processing and spatial awareness.

Jane Bisiker, Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist for Stroke Services, said: “Thanks to the generosity of an ongoing supporter, both inpatients and outpatients will benefit from this donation, and it will make such a difference to the rehabilitation of our patients.

“There is a range of grips and movements so patients can do a lot of upper limb work on their arms and shoulders. You can grade it from very little resistance then improve it to strengthen your range.

“The patients love it – I have not known anyone who doesn’t enjoy it because it’s fun, engaging and works you really hard without realising it.”

Patient Ray Whitehouse, who is a regular user of the equipment

Jane also said the equipment saves staff valuable time preparing exercises and even offers a competitive element for patients should they want it.

The retired insurance broker and father of two from Wightwick, Wolverhampton, used the games-based treatment tool at West Park Hospital to help his cognitive ability. He said: “I would definitely recommend it. It’s improved things for me.

“Without it, we would have to rely on a lot of pen and paper work which is very time consuming because it would involve preparing a lot of materials, whereas with this, you can click the bits you want and grade it as you go.

“I couldn’t look to the left and now I look a lot more to the left than I did before.”

“There’s also a motivational aspect for the patient because they can improve their scores each time they use it.”

Amanda Winwood, Charity Development Manager at the Trust, said: “We’re very grateful for the support WARRANT has provided to purchase these items. The equipment will really help our stroke patients with their rehabilitation.”

Realistic goals can be set and achieved, addressing specific therapeutic objectives. Baseline measurements of a patient’s comfortable range of motion (ROM) can be taken and used for exercise.

The Upper Limb Exerciser is the latest piece of equipment WARRANT has helped with after the charity previously purchased several specially-adapted bicycles for stroke patients, costing around £3,500 each.

Patient Ray Whitehouse, 78, suffered a stroke in 2000 which affected his left side and left him unable to walk, use his left arm or read.

Grateful former Mayor raises £2,000

A former Black Country Mayor who underwent radical cancer treatment at New Cross Hospital donated £2,000 to charities – half of which will benefit cancer patients in the future.

Steve Waltho climbed 20 peaks in the Lake District in March, just four months after his cancer removal surgery in November 2021 to raise money for The RWT Charity.

The 66-year-old, who is a former Dudley Mayor, was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate in 2014 after going to his doctor with symptoms of a water infection. Further tests conducted by his GP showed a high Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) reading, which was followed by a biopsy. Steve, who lives in Kingswinford, was then monitored regularly until an MRI scan in November 2020 which showed progressive prostate cancer.

He said: “I was put on hormone treatment to stop any spread until my robotic prostatectomy surgery in early November 2021.

“The surgery went well and after that I wanted to give something back to show a little gratitude and took to the hills which have been such a prominent source of fitness, peace and fundraising in my life.

“I’ll be eternally grateful for the brilliance of Mr Pete Cooke, consultant urological and robotic surgeon, and his team at New Cross Hospital for giving me an extension to my life. There’s no way of telling what my quality of life might have

been now or even if I’d still be here without it but at the moment I feel ok and back to being as active as a 66 year old might expect.”

Steve’s brother-in-law Neil Holt, 64, who has learning difficulties, also wanted to raise money so supported Steve’s challenge on a family holiday in Wales. In April, the duo climbed the highest peak in the Preseli Hills in Wales to further add to the funds.

Steve added: “When Neil learned of my desire to raise money he also wanted to add to the total by suggesting his own event in Wales. He’s an absolute inspiration to all who know him and he wanted to donate to a charity for people with disabilities. As I am honorary patron of Access In Dudley (AID) it was an absolute no-brainer to split the donation and hand over £1,000 to AID and give £1,000 to The RWT Charity to be used for future prostate cancer patients. “I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has sponsored me along this journey.”

Amie Rogers, community and events fundraiser for The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Charity, said: “We are very grateful to Steve and his family for this fantastic support. It was great to meet Steve and hear about his fantastic care by Mr Cooke and his team. Thank you again for this generous donation.” Steve also dedicated the fundraising to former Dudley Council colleague Councillor David Vickers who sadly passed away with prostate cancer.

From left to right Steve Waltho, Consultant Peter Cooke and Neil Holt

COVID-19 survivor launches book

One of Wolverhampton’s first COVID-19 patients returned to New Cross Hospital to launch his book and thank staff for the ‘outstanding care’ he received during his illness. Darren Buttrick, from Coven, decided to write the book ‘Fifteen Minutes and Counting; Never Stop Fighting’ about his COVID-19 experience as he wanted to give something back to the staff who saved his life. He has also donated his blood plasma to help other sufferers and in 2021 became the most prolific donator in the UK, donating 24 times, the maximum allowed in a 12-month period.

The father of three, who works in Telecommunications, said he had been told by his family - wife Angela and daughters Freya 17, Maia 17 and Esme 15, colleagues and friends - he had an inspiring story to tell.

He said: “I also wanted to leave a legacy and raise money for The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity so patients will benefit from the sales of the book. This was never about me, but another way of giving back.

“I enlisted the support of StoryTerrance and a ghost writer to write my story. It was very emotional writing it and I hope the staff like it. They saved my life and I will always be eternally grateful to them for their outstanding care.

“I hope the book inspires others and shows people it is tough out there but never give up.”

The 51-year-old was so ill when he was rushed to hospital in March 2020 and was given 15 minutes to “phone his family and say his final goodbyes.”

This is where the title of the book came from as Darren said all he remembers in those 15 minutes is messages of “love, don’t give up and keep fighting.” He describes ‘the darkest day’ as when he was intubated and put into a coma. After spending 10 days on ICCU, however, he was finally discharged after receiving what he describes as

“second to none” care from staff at New Cross Hospital.

Catherine Watkins, Specialist Physiotherapist, said she remembers Darren’s story giving her hope.

Darren said he particularly wanted to thank four members of staff - Sergio Fernandez, Catherine Watkins, Dawn Southey and Kate Holden.

“At the time we hadn’t seen many survivors so to see Darren come off the ventilator and go home gave us some hope in a very scary time, “she said.

He returned to New Cross Hospital with copies of his book and a special cake to thank the team.

“I’ve worked in intensive care for 37 years and, looking back, you can’t imagine the enormity of it all and how emotional it all was, as we thought all our patients might die. When Darren woke up we were so relieved that someone had survived.

Sergio, Staff Nurse on ICCU, said it was good to see how well Darren was doing. He said: “It shows what we do is important, and it is so rewarding to see Darren doing well. It feels like a great achievement, and I am overwhelmed to be mentioned in the book. It is nice recognition.”

“We were very frightened of the unknown and Darren’s story was uplifting for us all.”

Senior Advanced Nurse Practitioner Dawn Southey said: “It is fantastic what Darren has done with helping others and donating blood plasma. To see Darren do so well and be a part of that story is wonderful.”

Kate Holden, Critical Care Outreach Practitioner, said it was very emotional to see Darren again.

She said: “Darren was one of our first COVID-19 patients and I remember intubating him on the ward before ICCU. We really didn’t know much about COVID-19 at the time, and it was really unknown. To see him come out the other side and see him back fit and well is lovely.”

The book is available to purchase on Amazon, with all profits being donated to The RWT Charity.

Singers’ charity donation

From left: Vangie Griffin, Amie Rogers, RWT Charity Fundraising and Lead Digital Engagement Officer, Dr Sanjiv Petkar, Stephen Robins, Heather Johnson, Lynne Slater, Trish Hooper and Kayne Round – all from Songbirds in Harmony – and Amanda Winwood

A ladies choir donated more than £4,200 to help put a song in the hearts of patients at New Cross Hospital.

During 2022/23 and 2023/24, Songbirds in Harmony from Hednesford donated £4,240.37 to The RWT Charity after choosing it as its charity of the year.

Trish Hooper, who is the secretary and founder member of the choir, has been a cardiology patient for nearly 20 years and nominated the charity of RWT, which hosts the Cardiology team in the Heart and Lung Centre.

A ballot put to the choir’s 28 members at its AGM saw the Trust’s charity receive the highest number of votes. Money raised from the group’s three concerts and other fundraising events, held during the year, will go towards buying a screen and camera system to help patients and families with cardiac education.

“It’s humbling and very rewarding knowing we’ve contributed to purchasing a piece of equipment to help that team and department,” said Trish, 58. “As a close group of ladies, we’ve raised money while doing what we love – singing.”

Trish, a mother of three and

grandmother of three, has a history of atrial fibrillation, when abnormal electrical impulses override the heart’s natural pacemaker, causing a highly irregular pulse rate.

She has undergone numerous procedures, including several cardioversions – a procedure that uses quick, low-energy shocks to restore a regular heart rhythm – and ablations, which uses small burns or freezes to help break up the electrical signals causing irregular heartbeats.

Trish, who lives in Hednesford, said: “The choir always strives to support local charities, but as this one is so personal after having received such amazing treatment, it’s all the more special and emotional.

“Every member of staff has been kind, courteous and caring. On the nursing side Andy Lapper has been so supportive over the years, always returning reassuring messages and phone calls in tough times.

“Also, Dr Sanjiv Petkar works tirelessly – he’s a huge asset to the department and is extremely well respected.”

Steve Robins, Interim Group Manager, Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Services at RWT, said: “It was a pleasure to meet this dedicated group which cares

so much for its local community. “We really appreciate being chosen for this donation and the team will ensure it goes towards the care and support of our patients. Thank you so much.” Dr Petkar, Consultant Cardiologist at RWT, said: “Over the years, Trish has had the benefit of cutting-edge treatments and I’m happy that because of these interventions we’ve been able to improve her condition.

“It’s also very kind of her to think how the local expertise can be extended to other patients. I’m confident the money raised will make a huge difference to our patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation. We are extremely grateful.”

Amanda Winwood, Charity

Development Manager, said: “What a wonderful way to raise money! We’re very grateful to Trish and her colleagues for their generosity and thank them very much for choosing to donate their fundraising efforts to our charity this year.”

Formed in 2011, Songbirds In Harmony is an all-female, three-part harmony choir. It can be contacted via its email info@songbirdsinharmonyuk.com or website, Songbirds in Harmony UK.

Sensory room opened after £20,000 boost

“This has been a passion of ours. If you can complete a project that puts a smile on the faces of the patients and their families, what more of a legacy can we leave in our lives?”

Addressing members of The 5/344 Transport and General Workers Union Benevolent Charity, Sue Rawlings, Chair of The RWT Charity, said: “Thank you on behalf of the Board, staff and patients for everything you and your colleagues have done which have made such a big difference and equally, I’m sure this swansong will do the same. Your efforts will not be forgotten.”

Kirsty Lewis, Senior Matron, Children’s Acute Services, said: “The sensory room is such a lovely bright, colourful and safe space for the patients. We feel very lucky to have this on our ward at Wolverhampton as not every Children’s Ward has one, so we’re very grateful to the scheme for funding it.

Cyril Barrett and Kirsty Lewis in the sensory room

“We’ve bought many pieces of equipment for community initiatives in and around Wolverhampton, but in particular for The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, to whom we have donated over £400,000 worth of equipment.

A sensory room has opened to support younger patients at New Cross Hospital following a £20,000 donation from exGoodyear workers.

“Some of our children with complex health needs have been here for a long time and it’s really hard on the child and the families. So for them to be able to come into a room like this, away from their bed space with a break from clinical procedures and doctors and nurses, is really wonderful.”

The brightly-painted facility, which cost £20,638 and is on the Children’s Ward, A21, includes two mobile sensory trolleys, a soft play area, large reclining seats, and an infinity mirror and was funded by The 5/344 Transport and General Workers Union Benevolent Charity.

“We hope the decency, kindness and care shown by the ex-union Goodyear workers of Wolverhampton and the Black Country will not be forgotten.

There are different pads on the wall which change the colour of the lighting when pushed and the room has bluetooth access so patients can pair their phones and listen to their own music.

It has been designed to offer a safe, comfortable space for children and young people with physical health conditions, developmental delay or additional sensory needs. But it is also just a relaxing and calm space for any of the patients on the ward.

The donation completes a remarkable legacy of generosity that has seen the group donate more than £400,000 of equipment to the Trust since 2016. Cyril Barrett, Chair and Trustee of the scheme, said: “We’ve seen the tremendous difference our donations have made to the Trust and hopefully this room will have the same effect on the children and the staff here.

Sensory room group photo, from left:- Mark Jenkins, trustee, The 5/344 Transport and General Workers Union Benevolent Charity, Paul Bough, secretary of The 5/344 Transport and General Workers Union Benevolent Charity, Amanda Winwood, Kirsty Lewis, Kate Jenks, Group Manager, Acute and Community Paediatrics (Children and Young People), Sue Rawlings, Barry Malia, management committee member of The 5/344 Transport and General Workers Union Benevolent Charity, and Cyril Barrett.

Charity granted £220,000 to give HOPE

A charity has won a grant of £220,000 to help up to 1,000 vulnerable people in Wolverhampton over the next two years.

The RWT Charity, in partnership with Wolverhampton Voluntary and Community Action (WVCA) was awarded £220,000 from NHS Charities Together for project Holistic Opportunities Preventing Exclusion (HOPE).

As part of the bid, RWT will recruit, train, manage and support a full-time Link Volunteer Co-ordinator, a parttime Link Administration Officer, and up to 200 volunteers per year. These will work alongside the city’s Social Prescribing Service, run by WVCA, to help tackle loneliness, isolation, depression and anxiety.

There are currently more than 3,000 referrals a year to the Social Prescribing Service, following a spike in referrals for mental health in the last two years following the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is mainly due to increased loneliness and isolation and the mental and physical impact of that. Other reasons include bereavement and the effects on physical health from Long Covid.

HOPE will work alongside the service – which identifies and refers people to improve their wellbeing – including linking them to community services such as social groups, sporting activities, and groups focusing on areas of interest, such as gardening and arts and crafts.

Around a third of the grant – £75,000 – will be available to apply for to fund small, grass roots community groups to offer activities aimed at improving social connectivity. These bids will be assessed by the steering group.

HOPE will also focus on supporting people experiencing Long Covid, carers and those needing support with pain and medication management and these funds will be used to deliver a range of support, including:

Safe spaces for carers to socialise with those they care for and with others in a similar circumstance

From left: Lindsey Goodall, Community and Events Fundraising Officer, The RWT Charity, Elinor Cole, Arts and Heritage Co-Ordinator, The RWT Charity, Alison Dowling, Head of Patient Experience and Public Involvement at RWT, Eleanor Morris, Deputy Head of Patient Experience (Strategy and Engagement) at RWT and Ian Darch, Chief Executive of WVCA

Ian Darch, Chief Executive of WVCA, said: “We’re delighted to be working with RWT on the HOPE project which will play an important role in improving the wellbeing of local people.

Physical activities such as walks, art activities, knitting and yoga

Healthy eating, ‘knit and natter’ and art therapy

Alison Dowling, Head of Patient Experience at RWT, said: “This is the first time we’ve really been able to work in partnership with the voluntary sector and we’re excited about the opportunities this can bring for volunteers. I wish to sincerely thank the Trust’s Charity and in particular Chair Sue Rawlings for the support and vision for this project.”

“Tackling loneliness reduces mental and physical illness. Ultimately, if people are supported to remain well, the pressure on the health and social care system will reduce.”

Amanda Winwood, Charity

Development Manager from The RWT Charity, said: “We are so grateful to have been successful with the grant from NHS Charities together and we look forward to the positive difference we can make to the people of Wolverhampton.

Eleanor Morris, Deputy Head of Patient Experience at RWT, added: “We hope by boosting social prescribing programmes, more support can be provided to people experiencing loneliness and isolation and it encourages more connection with community activities.

“Reducing isolation will hopefully give confidence to our community and open other opportunities for them and focusing on their wellbeing.”

Opportunities to apply for a small grant and to volunteer with the HOPE project are now open.

“We hope the programme will provide meaningful difference to people and even help reduce pressures on frontline NHS services.”

Volunteering at RWT

Introduction

The Trust is fortunate to have the support of volunteers, unpaid members of our local community, who offer their time willingly to help.

As always, we hold the provision of a positive patient experience at the forefront of our volunteering activity, and we aim to place volunteers into roles which complement, but do not replace, paid members of staff. Volunteers add an important ‘extra’ factor to helping us provide a positive patient and visitors’ experience at RWT.

Review of 2022- 2023:

Community Clinical Volunteer role

Following on from the success of our Community Clinical Volunteer role which was established during the COVID-19 pandemic to support Trust areas most in need, we decided to continue offering this role during 2022-2023. This support also ensures a ready supply of volunteers to help the Trust during winter pressures.

During the last 12 months, we have carried out recruitment in this role in five additional cohorts, July 2022, September 2022, January 2023, and July 2023 and an additional cohort of NHS Cadets in March 2023. From these cohorts combined, we have recruited a total number of 150 volunteers. We have also attended two Trust recruitment days which were the July 2022 and January 2023 cohorts.

NHS Cadets is a national programme for young people who receive training by St John’s Ambulance and information on the variety of roles within the NHS.

Specific roles that volunteers have supported during this time can be seen below:

Arts in Health Programme

The Arts in Health Programme returned in April 2023 since it had to be stood down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The programme is funded by the Arts and Heritage Group that is within The RWT Charity. The funds provide craft resources that enable the programme to be delivered by RWT volunteers. The Volunteer Services Team worked in collaboration with the Arts and Heritage Co-ordinator to create a programme of activities that occur twice a month. The programme is designed to encourage engagement and interaction between patients at West Park Rehabilitation Hospital who are recovering from a form of neurological trauma. As well as encourage engagement in the craft sessions, volunteers complete an evaluation form at the end of each session. These forms will be used at the programme’s review in September. The review will confirm whether the programme continues, and whether there is scope to expand this service to the other two Trust sites, New Cross and Cannock Chase Hospitals.

Staff Wellbeing Hub

Since December 2022, RWT volunteers have been supporting The Charity’s Staff Wellbeing Hub initiative, a food bank, and essential items service to help support staff during the costof-living crisis. So far, volunteers have given more than 500 hours of their time to mainly support the afternoon service on the Hub, but more recently, extended their support to the busier morning shifts. The Hub is a great addition to our volunteer opportunities, providing variety and a non-clinical, but essential, support service to our staff.

Roles in Clinical Areas

In the past year (1 July 1022 – 10 August 2023), volunteers have contributed 8,648 hours of their free time to support the Trust. This includes 6,785 hours at New Cross Hospital, 961 hours at Cannock Chase Hospital, 601 hours at West Park Rehabilitation Hospital, 152 hours in the local community and 149 hours of other supportive roles such as the Bereavement Hub service, and Patient Involvement Partner activities. Community roles were the vaccination clinics during the autumn and spring.

New Cross Hospital is where most of our overall volunteer opportunities are. In the past year, the Trust areas with the most volunteer support were Acute Medical Unit (758 hours), C18 Elderly Care (569 hours), Staff Wellbeing Hub (508 hours), Discharge Lounge (485 hours), C21 Stroke (444 hours), D7 General Surgery (395 hours) and Emergency Department (382 hours). Other areas with high levels of support were A16 Appleby Suite, B14 Cardiology, C55 Same Day Emergency Care and C56 Frailty and Dementia.

At Cannock Chase Hospital, the main areas supported were Fairoak Ward (517 hours) and the Endoscopy Unit (304 hours). In 2023, we have added several additional opportunities that include Hilton Main and Hollybank Ward.

West Park Rehabilitation Hospital provides volunteer placements within Ward 1, Ward 2 or the Neurological Rehabilitation Unit. Our reports show equal levels of volunteer support across each ward.

Holistic Opportunities Preventing Exclusion (HOPE)

The Trust has been awarded two years’ funding by NHS Charities Together, to provide a volunteer programme aimed at alleviating social isolation and loneliness in the community of Wolverhampton. Working alongside Wolverhampton Voluntary Community Action (WVCA), the project aims to place volunteers alongside the Social Prescribing service, to support vulnerable people in the community referred in. There is also additional funding for the WVCA to deliver a Commissions programme, in which community groups can bid for small pots of funding to develop activities. The project will be reported on more fully in the next Charity annual review.

Looking Forward 2023- 2024

We want to improve the experience of volunteers who wish to use their volunteer opportunity to form career or educational pathways into the NHS. We will use the National Volunteer Certificate to enhance this - 16 volunteers have already completed it.

Building on successes during 2022- 2023, we will also aim to improve opportunities for volunteers with a disability or longterm condition and work with services to remove barriers.

We will expand our HOPE volunteer programme and community volunteering opportunities. We will continue to raise the profile of volunteering and staff awareness of what is involved in supervision of volunteers. And we will continue to work with The RWT Charity and recruit volunteer Charity Ambassadors.

Events made a welcome return

We were thrilled to be able to bring back face-to-face events in June last year.

Kicking off the celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, we hosted a Jubilee Fair.

A fun day was had by all at the event which included special guests, our staff choir. The RWT Singers treated visitors to a right royal performance, finishing with the National Anthem and a speech by Group Chief Executive, Professor David Loughton CBE.

The marquee outside the Emergency Department hosted several stalls managed by community partners and Trust staff members. Items on sale included handbags, handmade soaps, shampoos and wood crafts.

Amanda Winwood, Charity Development Manager, said: “It was lovely to see staff and community partners engaging and marking this special occasion. Thank you to all those who helped make the fair a huge success and for giving their time to bring some cheer.”

In addition, an event originally planned for April 2020, The RWT Charity Fashion Show was a chance for guests to shop ‘til they dropped!

We teamed up with SOS Charity Fashion Shows to host this fabulous event, featuring a number of NHS workers strutting their stuff on the catwalk, and rails of ladies’ high street clothing which were available to purchase at up to 75 per cent off normal retail price.

Thank you so much to family, friends, colleagues, and members of the community who came along. We’re also grateful to SOS Charity Fashion Shows, corporate supporters and local businesses who donated prizes for the raffle, and Fordhouses Cricket Club for hosting us.

We’re thrilled to reveal that we raised a fantastic £709!

The funds raised will help us to fund additional resources, equipment and projects which will benefit young patients and their families being cared for at RWT.

Celebrating the Platinum Jubilee

In June 2022, the late Her Majesty The Queen became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, after an incredible 70 years of service.

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RWT is proud of its heritage and its connection to the Royal family following the historic build of The Royal Hospital. The build was only possible thanks to charitable donations from Victorian businessmen in Wolverhampton that determined that the town (as it was then) was worthy of a hospital as a replacement to a sixbedded Dispensary. A total of £18,000 was raised which purchased land from the Duke of Cleveland and a hospital with 84 beds was built.

The hospital opened its doors on 1 January 1849 to ‘patients who are such unable to pay for medicine and advice and are destitute of funds to make provision for them’. It was run by a self-supporting Board of Governors and was totally dependent on charity for its complete running costs. The original staff consisted of a Matron, one Physician, one Consulting Surgeon, three Surgeons, one House Surgeon and a Secretary. The House Surgeon, Edward Hayling Coleman, had, in 1847, carried out the third-ever operation using anaesthesia, in England. During the first year of operation, 408 inpatients and 2,853 outpatients were treated at the hospital.

A Children’s Ward was established in 1862, overturning a rule which had excluded the treatment of children under six years old in hospital.

A new wing for inpatients and a new outpatient block were added in 1872 to reduce overcrowding.

In 1873 official recognition from the Royal College of Surgeons, gave the Royal Hospital approval as a teaching hospital.

As the hospital moved into the 20th century, many modern facilities were introduced. Electricity replaced gas lighting and, in 1900, the operating theatre was lit by electricity.

In 1875 an organisation was founded in Parkdale by a Mrs EA Whitehouse with a sum of £50 for the Outdoor Blind. A meeting was held under the support of the Briscoe family, Edward Banks retired architect ,and Dr W Millington to raise charitable donations to establish an Eye Infirmary to ease the significant pressure faced by the Cleveland Road Hospital for conditions such as Ophthalmia Neonatorum (which was increasingly becoming widespread due to social conditions of the day). Initially, only 10 beds were provided and there was an average, daily queue of 50 people waiting outside for treatments. All patients were treated irrespective of their ability to pay or provision of a subscriber ticket from employer, Minister of Religion, or benefactor to the services.

Children’s Ward 1975

Electrotherapy and Patient with Respirator

New Cross began its life on the 60-acre site in Wednesfield Road as a large public workhouse in 1904. Following the First World War and the general economy of the country improving, central government ordered that workhouses were to be converted to public hospitals, funded by the local authority and free to general use.

By the year 1912, The Royal Hospital had developed a 53-bed Nurses’ home, a new wing of beds dedicated to King Edward VII, its own motorised ambulance provided by Wolverhampton Police Force, an electric lift and a new laboratory. In the ten years immediately after the war, the hospital added many new departments and wards including operating theatres and VD clinics.

Prince of Wales

On 13 June 1923, HRH The Prince of Wales visited the hospital to present its Royal Charter of Incorporation, establishing it as a legally constituted body. That same year saw the General Nursing Council approve the hospital for Nurse training. Five years later, on 28 December 1928, HM King George V declared that from then on, the Wolverhampton and Staffordshire General Hospital should be known as The Royal Wolverhampton Hospital.

College of Nursing, and initially they sought support in The Society of Registered Male Nurses, whose membership was so strong in the West Midlands that its annual congress was held in Wolverhampton in 1959.

The 1950s saw the Eye Infirmary become the fourth largest workload eye centre in the UK and it was now becoming evident from the Commonwealth that much of its eye service provision was being provided by a doctor formerly trained in Chapel Ash. In 1958, the first International Ophthalmic Nurses Conference was held.

With the development of the NHS in 1948 there was larger and wider provision of medical care.

The first separate facilities for the treatment of women’s diseases or obstetrics did not come until the establishment of the Women’s Dispensary in 1886 which changed its name to the Wolverhampton and District Hospital for Women in

  1. The objective was to treat women “afflicted with diseases peculiar to their sex” and it consisted of inpatient and outpatient departments. The hospital was financed by voluntary donations and was initially in a house in St Mark’s Place until it moved to new purpose-built accommodation at Park Road West in 1904.

In 1926 there was a proposed merger with the Maternity Home at the District Nursing Association (but not the Nursing Association). The merger did not take place because the Hospital for Women strongly held on to the principles of voluntary hospitals whereas the Maternity Home seemed to have been a fee-based institution. Both the Hospital for Women and District Nursing Association and Maternity Home combined with the Royal Hospital, Wolverhampton, in 1928.

In 1975, gynaecological services were transferred to New Cross and the hospital was renamed West Park Hospital housing mainly ‘geriatric’ patients. The building was finally demolished in 1978 and new accommodation was built for West Park Hospital.

Princess Anne Walkabout

The new Maternity Unit was opened by Princess Anne in May 1971, finally encompassing gynaecology within a two-to-three-year period and providing total care including a Neonatal Unit just like its predecessor at West Park. The Tettenhall Road ‘Beeches’ and Bath Road unit were no more and subsequently the West Park site came under Primary Care control with considerable new building. Renovation plus provisions of care for a wide age group of conditions and patients took place. The hospital was largely demolished in 1978 to make way for West Park Hospital.

In the 1980s many of the specialities from The Royal moved away to New Cross Hospital and over the next decade the wards closed. A full transfer of all departments was seen including Cancer Care, ENT, Paediatric and A&E Departments. But as the 148th anniversary of the hospital approached it was closed in 1997.

Special thanks to Roy Stallard for sharing his wealth of knowledge of The Royal Hospital.

Christmas has arrived at New Cross Hospital!

Staff, patients, and guests gathered together at New Cross Hospital for a Christmas extravaganza – featuring market stalls, music and special guests.

The event, organised by The RWT Charity, saw the area outside the Emergency Department and all the Christmas trees around the site lit up.

Local businesses sold a selection of goodies – everything from bags to candles and perfume, and the Trust’s Choir, The RWT Singers, serenaded the crowd with carols and seasonal songs.

And some of the Trust’s oldest and youngest patients received a visit from Santa Claus alongside special friends George and Mistletoe – two reindeer straight from the North Pole.

The visit, made possible thanks to the Phoenix Children’s Foundation Charity, lifted everyone’s spirits.

Patient Derek Rushton, 88, who was recovering from a stroke, was one of the first to meet the festive duo. He said: “It has been really enjoyable.”

Doris Halifax, 94, was also taking time out from the hospital’s stroke ward to greet the guests. She said: “I just can’t believe what I’m seeing. It’s a lovely surprise.”

Trust staff were equally as delighted, as the smiles widened each time the reindeer were spotted in the marquee outside of the Diabetes centre – the first base on their tour across the site.

Cathy Mincher, Medical Secretary, said: “It’s just so lovely. Things like this are really good for your mental health and wellbeing too. The reindeer have a real calming effect. How often do you get to say you’ve seen a reindeer while at work!”

Jane Haynes, Domestic Support Worker, also dropped by to say hello. She said: “It’s really starting to feel Christmassy here at the Trust.”

Santa’s little helpers then made their way up to the garden on the children’s ward.

Seven-year-old Riley Weaver-Harrison is battling leukaemia and spends a lot of time in hospital, but there was no doubt the event helped cheer him up.

Riley’s mum, Sara Weaver-Harrison said: “It’s brilliant to have Santa and his reindeer here today. It’s definitely brought a smile to his face.” Riley added: “That was excellent!” Jessica Moyo from Wolverhampton is mum to three-yearold Zara Moyo who was on site for some allergy tests. She said: “Zara was so excited to meet the reindeer – she hasn’t stopped talking about them since. It’s a great experience, especially for the children who are here for a long period of time.”

And when it came to the light switch-on, Karl Henry, former Wolves captain, hit the big red button with the help of two young fundraisers –13-year-old Alfie Hinks and six-year-old Logan Munday.

He said: “It’s an absolute privilege to be asked to turn on the Christmas tree lights – especially with such fantastic young fundraisers by my side. I was born here at the hospital and received lots of treatment here over the years for asthma. I’m delighted to be able to support the charity team and be here at this wonderful event.”

Amanda Winwood, Charity Development Manager, said: “The RWT Charity strives to go above and beyond to improve patient experiences, and what better time of year is there than the festive period to bring about some cheer to patients, families and staff members. It’s something both adults and children can enjoy.

“Thank you to everyone who came and supported us during the Christmas Fair – it was definitely a day to remember.”

A stylish sum raised

Dedicated followers of fashion were wowed by a range of styles for all shapes and sizes in a fundraising fashion show that netted a very smart £821 for The RWT Charity.

The charity staged a winter show following the success of a similar show back in the spring – and organisers were thrilled to double ticket sales this time round with 140 guests attending. Bringing a touch of glamour to the event were ten members of staff from the Trust who all took to the catwalk to model the clothes being showcased by SOS Charity Fashion Shows at Fordhouses Cricket Club.

High quality ladies’ high street clothing was on offer at up to 75 per cent off normal retail prices and brands on sale included Topshop, Wallis, Next, Evans and Warehouse, from sizes six to 30.

Amanda Winwood, Charity Development Manager, said: ”We had another fabulous night of fashion and fundraising.

“We £560 from tickets in advance, another £127 on the door and from the raffle £134 giving our total of £821. And our staff models were amazing – easily giving Kate Moss and Ashley Graham a run for their money!

“We’d like to thank SOS Charity Fashion Shows for another successful partnership and the team at the venue for letting us use it free of charge. All proceeds will be added to our 2022 Christmas Appeal which is used to bring festive joy to our patients and service users at this time of year.”

Amanda added that 17 businesses had also been supportive by donating raffle prizes and these included, TK Maxx, Boots at Bentley Bridge, Tesco, Wolverhampton, Morrisons, Willenhall, Costa Wolverhampton, Abi Rogansky bags, Travelling Boutique, Paul’s Fragrances and SOS Charity Fashion Show.

Charities score as £700 raised from football match

“We’re a group of lads who enjoy playing together so we were over the moon to get the win and to carry on our winning streak.”

RWT captain Adam Loftus said: “It was a great day for the respective charities – to raise nearly £700 is exceptional and we’re delighted to play a part in that. “A few of the lads have already mentioned a rematch. It was a case of stepping into the unknown for us.” Georgie Westley, Well Wishers’ Fundraising Manager, said: “We were really pleased with the way everything went, and to raise the amount of money we did was the icing on the cake. Hopefully this is the first of many joint initiatives between the charities. Thank you to everyone who supported the event.”

Both teams together at Silverdale FC. RWT are in white shirts, with Well Wishers wearing blue shirts.

Amanda Winwood, RWT Charity Development Manager, said: “As one of the first joint charity efforts, we’re very proud and delighted that this has been a success – even if we wished the result had been better on the pitch! Thanks to everyone involved and hopefully it’s kickstarted more collaborative working with Well Wishers.”

Communications, played for RWT and was the only woman involved. Ben, Assistant Communications Officer for Digital, said: “It was a good day for us on the pitch and a great example of collaborative working between the Trusts to raise that amount of money.

Charity was the big winner as staff from RWT and Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust tackled each other on the football pitch for the first time, with nearly £700 raised.

Spectators paid £5 to watch, while every player, including substitutes, paid £10 each to play and there was a raffle, which all contributed to an overall figure raised of £691.61, split between The RWT Charity and Well Wishers, Walsall Healthcare’s charity. The money was put towards a sensory garden for the Stroke Rehabilitation Unit at Hollybank House, Willenhall, which is a joint service for both Trusts.

Well Wishers won 7-1 in the game at Silverdale FC, Walsall, after RWT took an early lead. Right midfielder Ryan Bellingham put RWT in front after a mistake by Well Wishers goalkeeper, but then the tables turned in Walsall’s favour.

Left winger Aiden Justin was in four-midable form with four goals while captain Ben Malpass netted twice and substitute Conor Meehan the other as Well Wishers led 4-1 at half-time.

There was an executive flavour to the teams too, with Well Wishers featuring Ned Hobbs, Chief Operating Officer, and Russell Caldicott, Chief Financial Officer, while Emily Smith, Head of

NHS Charities Together Grants BAME End of Life project

Project End Date - March 2023

Beginning in March 2021 this project was delivered in partnership with Compton Care to improve and support patients and their families from the BAME community, who were living with a complex and incurable condition.

The project provided a key link for patients and their families to help access care and the necessary support, liaising between services providing specialist support to patients and families across Wolverhampton.

The project had a key support worker whose aim was to empower patients to increase their choices for end-of-life care from community and acute settings, ensuring care was accessed in the right time and setting.

Project outcomes:

support given by the Support Worker which included setting up a masterclass in Cultural Awareness which was delivered by staff at Compton Care in partnership with their Chaplaincy Team

Survey Results

  1. Please confirm if you are the patient or the family / friend / carer:

  2. Patient 1 ● Family / friend / carer 4

  3. I felt I was treated with respect and dignity:

●
●
●		 Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree or Disagree		 4
1
1		 4
3
● Disagree 0 2
● Strongly Disagree 0
1
● Don’t Know 0
● N/A 0 0
  1. I received helpful guidance on practical issues (e.g. financial):

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● Strongly Agree 2 2
● Agree 2
● Neither Agree or Disagree 1
● Disagree 0 1
● Strongly Disagree 0
● Don’t Know 0
● N/A 1 0
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  1. I felt supported with my advance wishes and requirements:

  2. Strongly Agree 0 4 ● Agree 0 3

  3. ● Neither Agree or Disagree 0 ● Disagree 0 2 ● Strongly Disagree 0 1

  4. ● Don’t Know 0 ● N/A 5 0

5. I felt relaxed and reassured with my family and friends:

  1. I felt my emotional needs and feelings were managed well:
●Strongly Agree
1
●Agree
3
●Neither Agree or Disagree 0
●Disagree
0
●Strongly Disagree
0
●Don’t Know
0
●N/A
1
3
2
1
0		 manage we:
●Strongly Agree
2
●Agree
2
●Neither Agree or Disagree 1
●Disagree
0
●Strongly Disagree
0
●Don’t Know
0
●N/A
0
2
1
0		 manage we:
●Strongly Agree
2
●Agree
2
●Neither Agree or Disagree 1
●Disagree
0
●Strongly Disagree
0
●Don’t Know
0
●N/A
0
2
1
0		 manage we:
●Strongly Agree
2
●Agree
2
●Neither Agree or Disagree 1
●Disagree
0
●Strongly Disagree
0
●Don’t Know
0
●N/A
0
2
1
0		 manage we:
●Strongly Agree
2
●Agree
2
●Neither Agree or Disagree 1
●Disagree
0
●Strongly Disagree
0
●Don’t Know
0
●N/A
0
2
1
0

  1. I felt the service allowed me the freedom to do what mattered to me:

  2. I felt I had access to the right services and at the right time:

●Strongly Agree
1
●Agree
3
●Neither Agree or Disagree 0
●Disagree
0
●Strongly Disagree
0
●Don’t Know
0
●N/A
1
3
2
1
0		 ●Strongly Agree
1
●Agree
3
●Neither Agree or Disagree 0
●Disagree
0
●Strongly Disagree
0
●Don’t Know
0
●N/A
1
3
2
1
0		 ●Strongly Agree
1
●Agree
3
●Neither Agree or Disagree 0
●Disagree
0
●Strongly Disagree
0
●Don’t Know
0
●N/A
1
3
2
1
0
  1. I was provided with information in a way that I understood:

10. Overall, how was your experience of our service:

unerstoo:
●Strongly Agree
2
●Agree
3
●Neither Agree or Disagree 0
●Disagree
0
●Strongly Disagree
0
●Don’t Know
0
●N/A
0
3
2
1
0		 ●Very Good
5
●Good
0
●Neither Good or Poor
0
●Poor
0
●Very Poor
0
●Don’t Know
0
5
4
3
2
1
0

11.What was good about the service?

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Great Laugh Appointments Appreciate
Service Happy Helpful Understanding
Explanations Interpreter Sessions Help
Thanks Wonderful Given Supported
Referrals Eye-opener Making Lovely
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Holistic Opportunities Preventing Exclusion (HOPE) project

Project start date April 2023

Our charity won a grant of £220,000 to help up to 1,000 vulnerable people in Wolverhampton over the next two years. Working in partnership with Wolverhampton Voluntary and Community Action (WVCA), the project has been awarded £220,000 from NHS Charities Together for project Holistic Opportunities Preventing Exclusion (HOPE).

The grant will allow us to:

Around a third of the grant – £75,000 – will be available for organisations to apply for to fund small, grass roots community groups to offer activities aimed at improving social connectivity. These bids will be assessed by the steering group.

From left: Lindsey Goodall, Community and Events Fundraising Officer, The RWT Charity, Elinor Cole, Arts and Heritage Co-Ordinator, The RWT Charity, Alison Dowling, Head of Patient Experience and Public Involvement at RWT, Eleanor Morris, Deputy Head of Patient Experience (Strategy and Engagement) at RWT and Ian Darch, Chief Executive of WVCA

A 2-year project supporting the local community of Wolverhampton to prevent social isolation.

Would you like to support vulnerable people in your community and help others get more connected whilst reducing isolation?

If so, then please consider volunteering for HOPE. To find out more, please: Call 07796 046072 or email rwh-tr.hope@nhs.net

Some of the items bought through The Charity

Charity Spend

Neonatal Unit – Cuski products – £1033.50 Cuski nests, swaddle wraps and bean bags for or premature babies for neonatal positioning and development care.

Paediatrics – Sensory room – £26,000

Following a donation of £20k from The 5/344 Transport and General Workers Union Benevolent Charity we were able to create a sensory room which is a bright, colourful and safe space for patients. We feel very lucky to have this at RWT as not every Children’s Ward has one. Some of our children with complex health needs are here for a long time and it’s really hard on the child and the families. So, for them to be able to come into a room like this, away from their bed space with a break from clinical procedures and doctors and nurses, is wonderful.

Orthopaedics TV and DAB radio – £483

Some entertainment to support patients in our outpatient department and help pass the time.

Music therapy is shown to be good for the heart and reduce blood pressure making people feel more relaxed.

Oncology – Comfortline2 Therapy chairs

Comfort chairs were purchased for the Deanesly Centre. Comfortline chairs provide patients with a more comfortable and positive experience when receiving their treatment which is often over a long period of time.

Paediatrics – RockinR gaming system - £2,600

When speaking to some of our younger patients they identified they missed gaming, so two young fundraisers decided to raise some funds and purchase a system. Logan, aged six, climbed Snowdon with his dad and raise £1,400 and Alfie, aged 13, held a charity ball with his family and raised £1,200 to support this project. Situated in the playroom on Ward A21 at New Cross, the cart, which is height adjustable and lockable, comes complete with 21 of the newest games – all restricted to age 12 – access to Netflix, Disney+, the internet and streaming services and can be moved to the individual bed space.

Vascular – Handheld Dopplers - £3,011

A Doppler ultrasound is a non-invasive test that can be used to estimate the blood flow through your blood vessels by bouncing high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) off circulating red blood cells. A regular ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images, but can’t show blood flow.

How you can support us

Getting involved and supporting your local hospital and community services couldn’t be easier. You might consider attending one of our events or even host your own and help us raise vital funds.

Donations can be made in the following ways:

Direct into bank account:

Contact the charity team on 01902 694473 for details and reference.

By post:

Please make cheques payable to The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity.

Please write on the back of the cheque which fund you would like to donate to, e.g. General Purposes Trust Fund, and send to; Charity Office, Location A27 OPD, New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, WV10 0QP

By a donation on our ‘Just Giving’ site:

https://www.justgiving.com/royalwolvesnhstrust

Please complete a donation form and return it along with your donation to the RWT charity.

Did you know you can also increase your donation without having to pay more? An additional £36,000 was raised through the Gift Aid scheme in 2021/22.

How does Gift Aid work? Gift Aid is a scheme run by the government that enables charities to increase the value of donations made by reclaiming basic rate tax that has been paid on the gift. At the moment, we can claim 25p per £1 donated, so on a gift of £100, we will actually receive an extra £25, at no cost to the donor.

Great! Can I Gift Aid my donations?

To qualify for Gift Aid, you need to be a UK taxpayer and have paid enough tax to cover the amount of tax reclaimed by all charities on all your donations for each tax year (6 April one year to 5 April the next). Apart from tax on income from a job or self-employment, other types that are acceptable are:

Other taxes such as VAT and council tax do not qualify, nor does any non-UK tax.

When completing your donation form or donating via an online platform, simply complete the gift aid declaration, provide your postal address and we’ll do the rest!

Looking Ahead

Our objectives for 2023-2024

We will increase the visibility, profile and understanding of the charity within the hospitals and our local community.

We will strive to increase the value of monetary and non-monetary donations we receive year upon year, to ensure that we can continue to enhance the care and experiences of patients, their families, and our staff.

We will deliver an effective, accessible grants programme to support Trust improvements to services and the patient environment.

We will actively encourage applications to fund projects that further enhance and improve the health and wellbeing of staff and volunteers.

We will actively encourage applications to fund research projects that will further medical knowledge through research.

We will actively seek opportunities for collaboration with our colleagues from both statutory and non-statutory organisations and build and strengthen partnerships with key health and voluntary sector organisations to deliver greater impact.

We will embrace the digital agenda and utilise opportunities to raise further awareness of the charity with stakeholders as well as actively support projects that embrace technology and innovative ways of working.

Trustees – Custodians of the Charity

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust is the Corporate Trustee of the Charitable Funds governed by the law applicable to Trusts, principally the Trustee Act 2000 and the Charities Act 2011.

The Charity has the authority to recruit up to eight trustees who together make up the Board of Trustees. They are unpaid volunteers who set the strategy for the Charity and make sure it is implemented. Trustees elect a Chairman from amongst their number who chairs the meetings of the Board of Trustees and takes a more active role in supporting the Charity Chief Executive in the management of the Charity.

Trustees are appointed under arrangements made by the Secretary of State for Health under Section 51 of the NHS Act 2006. Vacancies are advertised and all potential Trustees must be interviewed and recommended by a panel consisting of two members of the Charity and one external assessor. Candidates must show knowledge of, and an interest in, the hospital and the community it serves and be willing to give the time necessary. Trustees are also selected to give the Charity a good mix of relevant professional skills, such as finance, investment and fundraising.

Trustees serve a fixed term of no more than four years (renewable to a usual maximum of ten years in total). New Trustees receive an induction pack consisting of the governing documents, previous trustee reports and accounts, relevant Charity Commission guidance, and policies and procedures of the Charity. They are also given a tour of the Trust. Appropriate training is provided in areas including Charity law and administration, investment management and charity finance. The Charity’s professional advisors provide helpful guidance, and membership of NHS Charities Together gives the Trustees access to regular conferences and training events.

The Charity has a Corporate Trustee: The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. The members of the NHS Trust Board who served during the financial year were as shown in the table below;

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Trustee Role within The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust
Mr K Bostock Group Director of Assurance
Prof. A-M Cannaby Group Chief Nursing Officer
Ms L Cowley Non-Executive Director
Dr U Daraz Associate Non-Executive Director(from 1 February 2023)
Mr A Duffell Group Chief People Officer
Non-Executive Director, Chair of Finance and Performance Committee (from 4 July 2022),
Mr J Dunn
Chair of Remuneration Committee (from 4 July 2022)
Non-Executive Director, Senior Independent Director (to 31 August 2022), Chair of Audit
Mr R Dunshea
Committee (to 31 August 2022)
Mr S Evans Group Chief Strategy Officer
Ms S Evans Group Director of Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
Prof. S Field Chair, Non-Executive Director (to 31 March 2023)
Ms A Harding Associate Non-Executive Director(from 1 February 2023)
Mr J Hemans Non-Executive Director, Chair of People and Organisational Development Committee
Ms A Heseltine Associate Non-Executive Director
Ms D Hickman Director of Nursing
Ms J Jones Non-Executive Director, Chair of Audit Committee (from 4 July 2022)
Mr M Levermore Non-Executive Director
Prof. D Loughton CBE Group Chief Executive Officer, Chair of Management Committee
Non-Executive Director (to 3 July 2022), Chair of Finance and Performance Committee (to 3
Ms M Martin
July 2022), Chair of Remuneration Committee (to 3 July 2022)
Ms G Nuttall Chief Operating Officer
Dr J Odum Group Chief Medical Officer
Ms T Palmer Director of Midwifery
Ms S Rawlings Non-Executive Director, Chair of Trust Charity
Mr K Stringer Group Chief Financial Officer/Deputy Chief Executive
Prof. L Toner Non-Executive Director
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How we organise the Charity

The main Charity, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity, registered charity number 1059467, was entered on the Central Register of Charities on 27 November 1996 in accordance with the Charities Act 2011. The Charity is constituted of circa. 94 individual funds. The notes to the accounts distinguish the types of fund held and disclose separately all material funds. Please refer to pages 71-86.

Charitable funds received by the Charity are accepted, held and administered as funds and property on trust for purposes relating to the health service in accordance with the National Health Service Act 2006 and the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990. The Charity has no employees but reimburses the NHS Trust for the financial and other services it provides. The Charity relies on the NHS Trust to identify the appropriateness of funding requests.

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust as the Corporate Trustee has devolved responsibility for the on-going management of funds to the Charitable Funds Committee which administers the funds on behalf of the Corporate Trustee. This Committee was formed in 2006.

The names of those people who served as agents for the Corporate Trustee, as permitted under the NHS Trusts (Membership and Procedures) Regulations 1990 were as follows:

Prof. Steve Field CBE - Chairman David Loughton CBE - Group Chief Executive Kevin Stringer - Group Chief Financial Officer Sue Rawlings - Non-executive Director Roger Dunshea - Non-executive Director Julie Jones - Non-executive Director Lisa Cowley - Non-executive Director

Principal Charitable Fund Advisers to the Board

The Chief Executive of the NHS Trust (David Loughton CBE) and Chief Financial Officer (Kevin Stringer) have day to day responsibility for the management of the Charitable Funds under a scheme of delegated authority by the Corporate Trustee. They must personally and together, on behalf of the Corporate Trustee, approve all expenditure over £10,000 with an upper limit of £50,000. Expenditure in excess of £50,000 on a particular project must be authorised by the Trust Board of the Corporate Trustee.

Mr Kevin Stringer was the principal officer overseeing the day to day financial management and accounting for the Charitable Funds during the year.

Principal Office

The principal office for the Charity is:

Group Chief Financial Officer The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Hollybush House New Cross Hospital Wolverhampton WV10 0QP

Wider Networks

RWT Charity is one of over 400 NHS linked charities in England and Wales who are eligible to join NHS Charities Together. As a member charity, we have the opportunity to discuss matters of common concern and exchange information and experiences, join together with others to lobby government departments and others, and to participate in conferences and seminars which offer support and education for our staff and members of the charitable funds committee.

Related Party Relationships

The Charity holds a related party relationship with The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. The transactions with these parties have been disclosed in note 17 of these financial statements.

Trustees of the Charity

Professor David Loughton CBE CIHSCM, Group Chief Executive,

Appointed 2004

Professor Steve Field Chair of the Board

Appointed 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2023

Professor Loughton’s first Chief Executive appointment was at the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust in 1986 where he successfully led the organisation through two hospital mergers, developed a new medical school with Warwick University and reached financial closure of a new £400m hospital. He then started as Chief Executive of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) in 2004. He has led the organisation from one of the most financially challenged in the NHS, to being financially sound whilst at the same time gaining a national and international reputation for improving patient safety and experience. He started as Chief Executive of Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust in 2021, which has seen improvements in both staff and patient satisfaction.

RWT hosts the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) in the West Midlands and Professor Loughton is the Chair of the West Midlands Cancer Alliance.

Committee Attendances in 2022-2023: 2/4

Declaration of interests:

Professor Field holds a number of roles at various organisations including Chair at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, Trustee at Nishkam Healthcare Trust and a Trustee for Pathway Healthcare for Homeless People.

Prior to his role of Chair, he was Chief Inspector of General Practice, Primary Medical Services, and Integrated Care at the Care Quality Commission (CQC). He has held several board positions in the NHS including, Deputy National Medical Director at NHS England, Regional Postgraduate Dean for NHS West Midlands, and Chair of the NHS Inclusion Health Board at the Department of Health. He also held the position of Chair of The Royal College of GPs and has been a faculty member at the Harvard Macy Institute of Harvard University in the USA. He has been awarded a number of honorary degrees and also holds academic appointments at the University of Birmingham and the University of Warwick.

Committee Attendances in 2022-2023: 0/4

Declaration of interests:

Kevin Stringer Chief Financial Officer

Appointed 2009

Mr Stringer is a qualified accountant with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and holds a Masters qualification in Business Administration (MBA). With more than 34 years of experience in the NHS, 21 of those years as a Director, he has experience of commissioning and provider organisations.

His experience covers:

His role is to provide professional advice to the Board and wider Trust to ensure delivery of the Board’s financial strategy, key statutory financial targets and ensure good internal control.

He is a member and advocate for Healthcare Financial Management (HFMA) having been a past Chair of the West Midlands Branch where he is now the Treasurer.

Committee Attendances in 2022-2023: 4/4

Declaration of interests:

Roger Dunshea Non-Executive Director

Appointed April 2014 to 31 August 2022

Mr Dunshea has worked in the NHS in Scotland, Wales, and England in a variety of positions including Staff Nurse, Project Manager, Clinical General Manager and Executive Director roles. Between 1997 and 2013 he was a Director with OFWAT (the economic regulator of the water sector in England and Wales) with responsibilities covering finance, information systems, human resources, and procurement. He has been the Chair of Governors at a Central Birmingham High School and a Non-Executive Director with the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust. His other current roles are independent member of the Welsh Government’s Education and Public Services audit and risk assurance committee and Chair of the audit committee of the Geological Society. He is volunteer warden with Natural England. He is a Chartered Public Finance Accountant and Fellow of the Geological Society.

Committee Attendances in 2022-2023: 2/2

Declaration of interests:

Julie Jones

Non Executive Director

Appointed August 2022 (Served as an Associate Non-Executive Director from February 2022).

Ms Jones is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales who, after 15 years in external audit at a leading accounting firm, has spent the last 10 years in executive finance director positions in the not for profit and public sector. She is currently the Chief Financial Officer of a secondary school academy in Solihull and is an Associate Director of a company providing internal audit services to academy schools nationwide. She has more than 20 years’ experience as a NonExecutive Director in social housing and higher education and is currently a member of the Audit & Assurance Committee of Walsall Housing Group, and Trustee and Treasurer of two local charities. She was previously the Chair of Audit Committee at Birmingham and Solihull CCG.

Committee Attendances in 2022-2023: 3/4

Declaration of interests:

Sue Rawlings Non-Executive Director

Appointed July 2013 (Served as an Associate Non-Executive Director from October 2012).

Re-appointed as an Associate Non-Executive Director in October 2021.

Ms Rawlings is a Chartered Certified Accountant who has worked in the public, private and voluntary sector. For 20 years, until 2020, she was a partner of the consultancy firm RHCS, a well- established, highly skilled consultancy firm working with a range of cross sector clients from the voluntary community/charitable and public sectors. She has extensive experience in evaluating the effectiveness of public expenditure and has worked, for example, with the British Red Cross in various parts of the country, conducting needs assessments, developing performance monitoring, and carrying out evaluations.

She worked with voluntary and community sector organisations to develop their business planning, their future sustainability and identify their impact. Previously a local improvement advisor appointed via IDeA to the Regional Improvement Efficiency Partnership in the West Midlands, she is also a Trustee of both Telford Christian Council Supported Housing Charitable Company and Telford Churches Together Charity.

Committee Attendances in 2022-2023: 4/4

Declaration of interests:

Lisa Cowley Non Executive Director

Appointed February 2022

Ms Cowley joins Trust Board bringing a wealth of experience gained in large, national and regional, health, social care and third sector organisations. She has held senior leadership positions, both as an employee and in a charitable trustee capacity, ensuring she brings a strong foundation in financial, business and operational planning, project evaluation and impact monitoring, amongst other expertise. She is particularly skilled at developing partnerships across the voluntary and public sector, including the evolution of the VCSE Alliance as part of the development of Integrated Care Systems. In her current role, Ms Cowley is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Beacon Vision, one of the region’s most established and well-known health and social care charities, where she has been in post for more than four years. She has bought many positive improvements to the charity and is passionate about making a difference to the lives of people living with sight loss across the West Midlands. In addition to her unwavering dedication to Beacon’s charitable objectives, she is committed to building long-term sustainability, actively seeking new ways to improve and develop increased integrated, cooperative and progressive health and social care systems to support beneficiaries. Previous roles have included Deputy CEO of the Black Country Living Museum, where she implemented significant change programmes and oversaw complex funding bids and projects of national heritage significance. Ms Cowley has also been involved in complex projects during her time at organisations such as the RSPB and The British Horse Society, where she developed and implemented the charity’s national volunteer programme. A highlight from her earlier career includes a pivotal role in the redevelopment of the world’s first ‘skyscraper’ in Shrewsbury. She is originally from Wolverhampton, having returned after completing her degree at the University of Liverpool. Her personal interests include a passion for horses and horse riding.

Committee Attendances in 2022-2023: 4/4

Declaration of interests:

Martin Levermore Non Executive Director

Non-Executive Director from 15 August 2022, originally appointed Associate Non-Executive Director from 7 February 2022

Professor Martin Levermore MBE DL is a Visiting Professor for Health, Education and Life Science at Birmingham City University (BCU).

He is a founder and Chief Executive of Medical Devices Technology International Ltd (MDTi), he has been working with the NHS regionally and nationally for over the past 18 years to commercialise and bring to market innovative products and service ideas.

He has more than 18 years at Senior Board level in the Life Sciences sector and sits on the Executive Board of PIONEER as Commercial Adviser, whilst Chairing the advisory board to Health Data Research UK (HDRUK).

Currently, Professor Levermore’s professional area of interest is on the adoptability of agile strategies and technologies that will improve clinical utility and the equity of medical devices to provide quicker and accurate assessment and diagnosis for patients centred around the flexibility of remote management.

He holds a Senior Associateship with the Royal Society of Medicine; he is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment and Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts.

He is the Independent Person for Windrush Compensation Scheme reporting to the Home Secretary Professor Levermore was appointed in 2018 by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant, Mr John Crabtree OBE, as a Deputy Lieutenant to the West Midlands.

Committee Attendances in 2022-2023: 0/0

Declaration of interests:

Structure, Governance and Management

All the Charity’s funds are pooled for investment purposes and the official pooling scheme was registered with the Charity Commission on 24 June 1998.

For management purposes all funds held and received by the Charity fall into one of the following categories:

Within the unrestricted category separate designated funds have been established which reflect the wishes of donors to help named wards and departments in the hospital. Subsequent donations and gifts received by the Charity that are attributable to the already established funds are added to those fund balances. Where the donations and gifts are not attributable to already established funds, new funds are set up. In this way the Corporate Trustee fulfils the legal duty to ensure that all funds are spent in accordance with the objectives of each fund and that the wishes of donors are always considered. Unrestricted funds form the largest category with £1,791,000 of funds at 31 March 2023. There are charitable funds for most clinical specialties (e.g. medicine or ophthalmology) and for some wards and departments within specialties.

Non-Executive members of the Trust Board are appointed by the NHS Appointments Commission and Executive members of the Board are subject to recruitment by the NHS Trust Board. Members of the Trust Board and the Charitable Funds Committee are not individual Trustees under Charity law but act as agents on behalf of the Corporate Trustee.

Acting for the Corporate Trustee, the objective of the Charitable Funds Committee is to provide strategic direction to the Charity and ensure that it is managed and administered in accordance with the Charity’s purposes. The Committee is responsible for:

Risk Management

The major risks to which the Charity is exposed have been identified and considered. They have been reviewed and systems established to mitigate those risks. The Trustee is confident that reliance can be placed on the management arrangements in place, which include internal and external audit services, to minimise any risk to the funds. The most significant risks identified are the possible losses from a fall in the value of the investments and the level of reserves available to mitigate the impact of such losses.

The investments are held by the Investment Fund Managers who act in accordance with the agreed investment policy and are subject to regular review. In addition, unrealised gains and losses are allocated to funds at agreed intervals. Procedures in place ensure that both spending and firm financial commitments remain in line with income. Income is covered by the Standing Financial Instructions and there is an agreed boundary for the receipt of donations. This policy has been communicated to staff.

There is an agreed expenditure and reserves policy together with a tight approval procedure which gives the Corporate Trustee confidence that the expenditure will remain within the limits of the Charity’s resources.

Objectives and activities for the public benefit

This can be found at the beginning of this report on page 5.

Investment Management

Surplus funds are pooled and invested in order to maximise income, whilst minimising risk for the Charity.

Income and cash, gains and losses are distributed equitably across the Charity funds. The income from investments amounted to £82,397 (£77,879 in 2021/22).

Throughout 2022/23 the investments were split into two portfolios.

During the year the Trustees requested both the Shorter and Longer Term Portfolios continue to hold a 50:50 split of the overall investments.

At the year end the Shorter Term Portfolio held £1,069,146 and the Longer Term Portfolio held £1,380,183. Both portfolio’s were split between investment types. The two portfolio’s together were split in the following way. £1,106,793 – 45.2% (2022: £1,290,563 – 48%) was invested in equity based investments, £1,265,201 – 51.6% (2022: £1,306,414 – 48.5%) was invested in longer fixed interest bearing government and other securities and £77,343 – 3.2% (2022: £94,025 – 3.5%) was held as liquid assets including cash. This total sum invested decreased by £241,674 from 2021/22.

The Charity does not own any investment properties. The Charity has an investment policy that was reviewed in November 2022. See page 66.

A reflection on the last 12 months, from Sarasin & Partners LLP.

Investment returns for the past 12 months have been a tale of two halves. With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine came rising inflation, which, added to the supply shock created by the COVID-19 pandemic, caused central banks to raise interest rates faster and higher than many had anticipated. This, along with mounting recessionary concerns, triggered falls across both equity and bond markets over the following months. October, by contrast, brought a sense of optimism as data releases began to imply that inflation was showing signs of nearing a peak. This optimism was further strengthened by the rapid reopening of China in early 2023 and falling wholesale gas prices in Europe. Since this point, and in spite of the many oscillations in sentiment and a banking crisis in Europe & the US in March, returns for equity investors have rebounded strongly. The resurgence has been led by a relatively narrow set of US listed technology companies, which have benefitted from the renewed excitement in large language models and the advances in machine learning. Over the entire period, the net result is that returns from equities have been broadly flat.

Having had limited exposure to fixed income in 2022, falling capital values have meant that the yields on offer, particularly from high-quality, investment grade corporate bonds, look increasingly attractive. This has provided an opportunity to start adding back to positions, which had been roughly halfweighted, to a more neutral level by the end of the twelve months.

The portfolios have benefitted from our continued focus on high quality businesses with strong balance sheets and meaningful pricing power, with companies like Merck & Co (diversified pharmaceuticals), National Instruments (software and hardware for engineers and scientists) and Broadcom (semiconductors and infrastructure software) contributing strongly to performance.

With regards to income, distributions for the long-term portfolio were kept flat, as was projected this time last year, thus maintaining our commitment to produce sufficient income for the Trust. We expect income receipts to again be matched over the next 12-month period, which we hope will assist with the Trust’s financial planning.

Policies

Investment Policy

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity seeks to produce the best financial return within an acceptable level of risk.inflation over the long term whilst generating an income to support the on‐going activities of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity.

The investment objective for the short term portfolio is to preserve the capital value with a minimum level of risk. Assets should be readily available to meet unanticipated cash flow requirements.

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity has approximately a 50/50 split for investments between long term and short term, in order that unanticipated cash flow needs can be met.

The Charity’s ethical investment policy precludes direct or indirect investment in companies that generate more than 10% of revenues from alcohol, armaments, gambling, pornography and will not invest in tobacco.

Expenditure policy

The charitable funds that the Charity manages, and from which grants are made, are held as endowment funds (expendable or permanent), restricted funds and unrestricted funds (designated or non-designated).

It is the Trustees’ policy to ensure that all grants made from these funds are used in accordance with the purposes of the individual fund and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity’s purposes and aims.

Individual funds’ purposes include research, equipment, and patient and staff welfare.

The definitions of endowment, restricted and unrestricted funds are detailed below:

The fund advisors have delegated powers and responsibility to authorise expenditure in line with the Trust’s Authorised Limits Schedule contained within the Standing Financial Instructions (SFI’s). The fund advisors can make recommendations on how to spend the money within their designated area up to a level of £5,000 per transaction subject to any specific donor wishes. The deputy chief operating officers have delegated powers and responsibility to authorise transactions up to £10,000. For expenditure in excess of these limits they make recommendations to the chief executive and chief financial officer who have authority limits up to £50,000. Any transactions over this limit must go to the Trust Board for authorisation.

All of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity’s restricted and unrestricted funds can be spent at any time. Grants from these funds are applied for by fund advisors

Reserves policy

The Corporate Trustee acknowledges that it is the donors’ intention that their contributions be used as soon as possible to enhance the service provided by the Trust. Consequently, it is the policy of the Charity that significant reserves are not held. The Charity does not intend to increase fund balances unless this is as a result of significant donations or legacies. However, from time to time, balances are held in particular areas until sufficient funds have been donated to make specific purchases.

The trustee has established a reserves policy as part of their plans to provide long term support to the services provided by The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. The Trustee calculates the reserves as that part of the Charity’s unrestricted income funds that is freely available, after taking account of the designated funds, which have been earmarked for specific service purposes, in accordance with the stated Charity Objectives.

Total funds of the charity were £2,725,000 (2022 £3,031,000) of which £1,791,000 (2022: £2,026,000) are unrestricted funds, £852,000 (2022 £923,000) restricted funds and £82,000 (2022: £82,000) were endowment funds

The free reserves currently stand at £86,000 and are calculated as follows:

All of the different types of funds have fund advisors who facilitate local decision making and offer expertise in the particular area of the fund.

The Trustees intend that designated funds are spent within a reasonable period of receipt and therefore, foresee a need only to maintain reserves sufficient to provide certainty of funding to cover the administrative, fundraising and governance costs of the Charity in the short term. The Trustee aims to maintain free reserves in unrestricted funds at a level which equates to approximately a year of nondesignated, unrestricted charitable expenditure. The Trustee considers that this level will provide sufficient funds in the short term, to cover costs in the event of unforeseen circumstances which prevented the operation of the Charity in the longer term.

The Trustee reviews the balance held in designated funds, in accordance with the provisions of the NHS Acts relating to charitable funds, to determine whether these funds are likely to be committed in the near future and the extent to

which there is a continuing need identified for any particular designated fund(s). Any inactive funds are closed and transferred appropriately. Additionally, within the level of designated funds held, the Trustee ensures that there are sufficient funds held to cover a fluctuation in the value of funds held in investments.

The policies specific to the Charity reserves are as follows:

Further details

Principal professional advisers

Auditors - External

WR Partners Belmont House Shrewsbury Business Park Shrewsbury SY2 6LG

Bankers

Auditors - Internal

RSM UK Cooperative Bank plc Festival Way 1-2 Dudley Street Festival Park Wolverhampton Stoke-on-Trent WV1 3EN ST1 5BB

Solicitors Investment Fund Managers Browne Jacobson Sarasin & Partners LLP 44 Castle Gate Juxon House Nottingham 100 St Paul’s Churchyard NG1 7BJ London EC4M 8BU

Full accounts

This annual report comments on some of the features of the full accounts which are provided on the following pages for your information. Copies of the full accounts have been lodged with the Charity Commission and carry an unqualified audit report.

The text and accounts shown in this report were approved by the Trustees on 17 October 2023 and is signed on their behalf by the Chair.

Martin Levermore -

Chair of the Charitable Funds Committee

Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Disclosure of information to auditors

Each of the persons who are Trustees at the time when this Trustees’ report is approved has confirmed that:

Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees on 17 October 2023 and signed on their behalf by:

Martin Levermore

Chair of the Charitable Funds Committee

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Trustees of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity (the ‘charity) for the year ended 31 March 2023 which comprise the Statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and the related notes, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the trustees’ annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors’ report.We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

We have reviewed the susceptibility of the charity’s financial statements to material misstatement and identified the principal’s risks, implementing a series of testing procedures to provide us with sufficient comfort to issue our opinion.

We reviewed the charities regulatory environment to ensure we could that it had acted in accordance with the framework relevant to the charity and its environment and identify any instances on non-compliance.

We also assessed the charity’s internal control procedures to ensure we could appropriately scrutinise these controls and establish whether our understanding of the control environment was sufficient to supplement our additional testing procedures.

The engagement team consisted of a team that the engagement partner believes is equipped with the relevant level of technical and charity awareness to carry out our work to the required standard.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/ auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

WR Partners

For and on behalf of WR Partners

Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors Belmont House Shrewsbury Business Park Shrewsbury Shropshire SY2 6LG

Charity Accounts 2022-2023

Statement of Financial Activities incorporating income and expenditure account for the year ended 31 March 2023

Note
Incoming resources
Voluntary income:
Donations and legacies
3
Grants
3
Other trading activities
3
Investments
12
Total incoming resources
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
4
Charitable activities
4
Other expenditure
Total expenditure
Net gains/(losses) on investment
Net income/expenditure
Transfer between funds
Net movements in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Fund balances carried forward at
31 March 2023		 Unrestricted
funds
£000
Restricted
funds
£000
Endowment
funds
£000
2022/23
Total funds
£000
2021/22
Total funds
£000
188
449
-
637
484
-
59
-
59
257
80
4
84
67
44
38
-
82
78
312
550
-
862
886
(151)
-
-
(151)
(101)
(249)
(524)
-
(773)
(645)
(1)
-
-
(1)
(4)
(402)
(524)
-
(926)
(750)
(146)
(97)
-
(243)
(24)
(236)
(71)
-
(306)
112
-
-
-
-
-
(236)
(71)
-
(306)
112
2,026
923
82
3,031
2,919
1,791
852
82
2,725
3,031

Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2023

Fixed assets
Investments		 Note
11		 Unrestricted
funds
£000
1,514		 Restricted
funds
£000
853		 Endowment
funds
£000
82		 2022/23
Total funds
£000
2,449		 2021/22 Total
funds
£000
2,691
Total fxed assets 1,514 853 82 2,449 2,691
Current assets
Debtors
Cash and cash equivalents		 13
14		 45
390		 -
-		 -
-		 45
390		 42
806
Total current assets 436 - - 436 848
Creditors: Amounts falling due
within one year
Net current assets/(liabilities)		 15 (160)
276		 -
-		 -
-		 (160)
276		 (508)
340
Total assets less current
liabilities		 1,791 852 82 2,725 3,031
Net assets 1,791 852 82 2,725 3,031
The funds of the Charity
Endowment funds		 16 - - 82 82 82
Restricted income funds 16 852 852 923
- -
- -
Unrestricted income funds 16 1,791 1,791 2,026
Total Charity funds 1,791 852 82 2,725 3,031
72

Reconciliation of net income/(expenditure) to net cash flow from operating activities

Net income/(expenditure) for 2022/23 (as per the Statement of
Financial Activities)
Adjustment for:
(Gains)/losses on investments
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Cash Flow
Cash fows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Cash fows from investing activities:
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period		 2023
£000
2022
£000
(306)
112
243
24
(82)
(78)
(4)
(18)
(349)
362
(498)
402
Total funds
2022/23
£000
Total funds
2021/22
£000
(498)
402
82
78
82
78
(416)
480
806
326
390
806

1. General information

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity is an unincorporated charity in England. The address of the registered office is given in the charity information on page 60 of this report.

2. Accounting policies

a) Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)(issued in October 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

The financial statements have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair’ view. This departure has involved following the Charities SORP (FRS 102) published in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy. After making enquires, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The Charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.

The key risks to the Charity’s continuing going concern status are a fall in income from donations or investment income but the Trustee has arrangements in place to mitigate those risks (see the risk management (page 65) and reserves (page 66) sections of the annual report for more information).

b) Funds structure

Where there is a legal restriction on the purpose to which a fund may be put, the fund is classified either as:

Restricted funds are those where the donor has provided for the donation to be spent in furtherance of a specified charitable purpose.

Endowment funds arise when the donor has expressly provided that the gift is to be invested and only the income of the fund may be spent. These funds are sub analysed between those where the trustee has the discretion to spend the capital (expendable endowment) and those where there is no discretion to expend the capital (permanent endowment).

The Charity has three permanent endowment funds, all of which are invested within the long term portfolio and the return from this investment is transferred into either an unrestricted fund or a restricted fund dependent on the restrictions placed on the fund by the donor.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked for a particular area so where donations are received for individual wards or departments, these are transferred to a fund designated for that particular ward or department. These funds are held for general, day to day needs as opposed to long term projects.

c) Incoming resources

All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable (more likely than not) that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

Where there are terms or conditions attached to incoming resources, particularly grants, then these terms or conditions must be met before the income is recognised as the entitlement condition will not be satisfied until that point. Where terms or conditions have not been met then the relevant income is not recognised in the year but deferred and shown on the balance sheet as deferred income.

d) Gifts in kind

Gifts in kind, such as food and care packages are not accounted for when they are accepted and immediately distributed unless a single donation is material.

Gifts of tangible assets such as microwaves and fridges are recognised as a donation at fair value (market price) on receipt and charitable expenditure when they are distributed.

Where gifts in kind are held before being distributed to beneficiaries, they are recognised at fair value as stock until they are distributed.

e) Incoming resources from legacies

The recognition of income from legacies is dependent on establishing entitlement, the probability of receipt and the ability to estimate with sufficient accuracy the amount receivable. Evidence of entitlement to a legacy exists when the Charity has sufficient evidence that a gift has been left to them (through knowledge of the existence of a valid will and the death of the benefactor) and the executor is satisfied that the property in question will not be required to satisfy claims in the estate. Receipt of a legacy must be recognised when it is probable that it will be received and the fair value of the amount receivable, which will generally be the expected cash amount to be distributed to the Charity, can be reliably measured.

f) Incoming resources from endowment funds

The incoming resources received from the invested endowment fund are transferred to the restricted or unrestricted fund as per the donors request.

g) Other incoming resources

Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service.

h) Resources expended and irrecoverable VAT

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to each category of expense shown in the Statement of Financial Activities. Expenditure is recognised when the following criteria are met:

Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of resources expended for which it was incurred.

i) Recognition of expenditure and associated liabilities as a result of grant

The Charity is not a grant giving organisation.

j) Allocation of support costs

Support costs are those costs which do not relate directly to a single activity. These include some staff recharges, costs of administration, external audit costs and IT support. Support costs have been apportioned between fundraising costs and charitable activities on an appropriate basis. The analysis of support costs and the bases of apportionment applied are shown in note 6.

k) Fundraising costs

The costs of generating funds are those costs attributable to generating income for the charity, other than those costs incurred in undertaking charitable activities or the costs incurred in undertaking trading activities in furtherance of the charity’s objects. The costs of generating funds represent fundraising costs which include expenses for fundraising activities and a recharge paid to a related party, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (see note 17). The recharge is used to pay the salaries and support costs of the Charity’s fundraising team.

l) Charitable activities

Costs of charitable activities comprise all costs incurred in the pursuit of the charitable objects of the charity. These costs, where not wholly attributable, are apportioned between the categories of charitable expenditure in addition to the direct costs. The total costs of each category of charitable expenditure include an apportionment of support costs as shown in note 6.

m) Fixed asset investments

Investments are a form of basic financial instrument. Fixed asset investments are initially recognised at their transaction value and are subsequently measured at their fair value (market value) as at the balance sheet date. The Statement of Financial Activities includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluation and disposals throughout the year. Quoted stocks and shares are included in the Balance Sheet at the current market value quoted by the investment analyst, excluding dividend. Other investments are included at the trustee’s best estimate of market value.

The main form of financial risk faced by the charity is that of volatility in equity markets and investment markets due to wider economic conditions, the attitude of investors to investment risk, and changes in sentiment concerning equities and within particular sectors or sub sectors. Further information on the RWT Charity investments can be found in note 11.

n) Debtors

Debtors are amounts owed to the charity. They are measured on the basis of their recoverable amount.

o) Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand is held to meet the day to day running costs of the charity as they fall due. Cash equivalents are short term, highly liquid investments, usually in 90-day notice interest bearing savings accounts.

p) Creditors

Creditors are amounts owed by the charity. They are measured at the amount that the charity expects to have to pay to settle the debt.

Amounts which are owed in more than a year are shown as long-term creditors.

q) Realised gains and losses

All gains and losses are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities as they arise. Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sales proceeds and opening carrying value (purchase date if later). Unrealised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between the market value at the year end and opening carrying value (or purchase date if later).

r) Staff costs and pensions

The Charity does not have any staff. All staffing costs are recharged from The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.

3 Income

a) Analysis of Donations, Legacies and Grants

Donations from individuals
Corporate donations
Legacies
Grants
2021/22 Total funds £000		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Total
2022/23
Total
2021/22
124
6
130
308
51
1
52
40
13
442
455
136
0
59
59
257
188
508
696
741
707
34
741

Donations from individuals are gifts from members of the public, relatives of patients and staff.

Donations of goods, to the value of £24,472 2022/23 (£9,839 2021/22), are included in income valued at their market value. All of these donations have been distributed during the year.

b) Analysis of Other Trading Activities

Community
Individuals
Events
Corporate
2021/22 Total funds £000		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Total
2022/23
Total
2021/22
29
4
33
14
11
-
11
-
40
-
40
53
-
-
-
-
80
4
84
67
65
2
67

4 Expenditure

a) Analysis of Raising Funds

Fundraisers costs
Support costs
2021/22 Total funds £000		 Unrestricted
funds
£000
Restricted
funds
£000
Total
2022/23
£000
Total
2021/22
£000
130
-
130
87
21
-
21
14
151
-
151
101
101
-
101

b) Analysis of Charitable Activities

Purchase of new medical equipment
Patients welfare and amenities
Staff welfare and amenities
Building work
Research
2021/22 Total funds £000		 Grant funded
activity
£000
Support
Costs
£000
Total funds
2022/23
£000
Total funds
2021/22
£000
40
-
40
306
171
37
208
270
49
10
59
69
464
-
464
-
1
-
1
-
726
47
773
645
599
46
645

5 Grant funding

The charity did not undertake any direct charitable activities on its own account during the year. All of the charitable expenditure was in the form of grant funding.

Grants were approved in favour of the partner organisations, principally the RWNHST to carry out activities that will benefit patients and their families. The Charity incurred expenditure with third parties in pursuance of those grants or reimbursed expenditure incurred by them.

6 Allocation of support costs and overheads

Support and overhead costs are allocated between fundraising activities and charitable activities. The bases of allocation used are as follows:

Internal audit
External audit
Financial services
Support admin costs
Other administration costs
2020/21 Total funds £000		 Raising
funds
£000
Charitable
activities
£000
Total
2022/23
£000
Total
2021/22
£000
Basis
1
2
3
-
Direct
2
6
8
7
Direct
16
36
52
49
Time
-
-
-
-
Time
2
3
5
4
Expenditure
21
47
68
60
14
46
60

7 Trustee remuneration, benefits and expenses

Remuneration for the Board of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust is provided in The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust 2022/23 published Accounts available on the Trust website, and as such remuneration and expenses with regards to the Charitable Funds Committee are not separately identified.

8 Analysis of staff costs and remuneration of key management personnel

The Charity has no employees (2021/22 none). Costs for staff incurred by The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust are recharged to the Charity in the form of a Financial Services management fee along with the salaries for the Fundraising team. The management fee for the year amounted to £52,252 (2021/22 £49,228) and the Fundraisers’ salaries amounted to £111,649 (2021/22 £80,603). The Charity does not directly pay salaries national insurance or pension contributions (2021/22 £Nil).

Analysis of staff costs recharged by The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust

Fundraisers salary
Financial services		 2023
£0
2022
£0
112
81
52
49
164
130

9 Transfers

There were transfers of £41,664 (2021/22 £5,022) during the year, between New Cross General Purpose Legacies and Arts and Heritage.

10 Auditor’s remuneration

External auditors’ remuneration of £7,800 including VAT (2021/22 £6,600 including VAT) related solely to the audit with no other additional work undertaken (2021/22 £Nil).

11 Investments

Movement in fxed asset investments
Market value at 1 April
Less disposals at carrying value
Add: additions to investments at cost
Add net gain (loss) on revaluation
Market value as at 31 March		 31 March 2023
£000
31 March 2022
£000
2,691
2,715
-
-
-
-
(242)
(24)
2,449
2,691

Net movement is made up of the revaluation of investments (£241,674) at the year end and £8.96 increase in the balance of cash held to £10.35 as part of the investment portfolio.

Analysis of market value
Investments listed on Stock Exchange
Fixed asset investment by type
Equities
Fixed Income (Inc Bonds)
Property
Other
Liquid Assets (Inc Cash)		 31 March 2023
£000
31 March 2022
£000
2,449
2,691
2,449
2,691
31 March 2023
£000
31 March 2023
%
31 March 2022
£000
31 March 2022
%
1,107
45.2
1,291
48.0
894
36.5
853
31.7
61
2.5
82
3.0
310
12.6
371
13.8
77
3.2
94
3.5
2,449
100
2,691
100

The Trustee’s consider the value of the investments to be supported by their underlying assets.

12 Analysis of gross income from investments and cash on deposit

Investments listed on Stock Exchange 31 March 2023
£000
82		 31 March 2022
£000
78
82 78
13 Debtors
Amounts falling due within one year:
Prepayments and accrued income		 31 March 2023
£000
45		 31 March 2022
£000
42
45 42
14 Cash and cash equivalents
31 March 2023
£000
Co-Operative Bank Account
390		 31 March 2022
£000
806
390 806
15 Creditors
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade creditors
Other creditors
Deferred Income		 31 March 2023
£000
83
12
65		 31 March 2022
£000
490
13
5
160 508

16 Analysis of charitable funds a) Endowment funds

i) Analysis of endowment fund movements

ii) Details of permanent endowment funds

A General Purposes Fund
B W.H.Fowler Trust
C Nell Phoenix Fund		 31 March 2023
£000
31 March 2022
£000
26
26
14
14
42
42
82
82
Name of permanent endowment Description of the nature and purpose of each permanent endowment
A General Purposes Fund to earn interest for the beneft of the non designated fund of the RWT
Charity
B W.H.Fowler Trust to earn interest for the beneft of the designated Maternity & Gynaecology
fund within the Obstetrics and Gynaecologyarea
C Nell Phoenix Fund to earn interest for the beneft of the restricted fund which is to provide
musical entertainment for nursingstaff

b) Restricted funds

i) Analysis of restricted fund movements

Name of fund
A
Joan Jones
B
Edith Mary Jeavons
C
Nell Phoenix Fund
D
Cystic Fibrosis Funding
E
Sheila Whiting Legacy
F
Marjorie Ferguson Legacy
G
CCH General Purpose - Legacies
H
Rotary Dowding
I
Millicent Jessica Dwight - Legacy
J
Swan Fund
K
Cancer Centre Fund
L
Kenneth Arthur Hollins - CCH
Dialysis Centre
N
New Cross General Purposes -
Legacies
O
RWT Singers
P
Individual funds < £500
Q
Arts & Heritage Fund
R
COVID-19
S
Mr Worrall Legacy		 31 March
2022
£000
Income
£000
Expenditure
£000
Transfers
£000
Gains &
losses
£000
31 March
2023
£000
102
4
(2)
-
(10)
94
4
-
-
-
-
4
37
2
(6)
-
(3)
30
2
-
-
-
2
71
3
(1)
-
(9)
64
1
-
-
-
-
1
20
1
-
-
(3)
18
230
9
(5)
-
(22)
212
19
1
-
-
(4)
16
5
4
-
-
-
9
30
1
(1)
-
(3)
27
84
3
(2)
-
(8)
77
256
9
(5)
(47)
(19)
194
3
7
(7)
5
(1)
7
1
-
-
-
-
1
1
1
(12)
42
(4)
28
57
63
(41)
-
(11)
68
-
442
(442)
-
-
-
923
550
(524)
-
(97)
852

b) Restricted funds continued

ii) Details of restricted funds

ii) Details of restricted funds ii) Details of restricted funds
Name of fund Description of the nature andpurpose of each fund
A Joan Jones to provide medical equipment to the Renal, Oncology, Vascular and Cardiac
Units
B Edith Mary Jeavons to provide medical equipment to RW Trust
C Nell Phoenix Fund to provide musical entertainment for nursing staff
D Cystic Fibrosis Funding to support patients and their families who suffer with Cystic Fibrosis
E Sheila Whiting Legacy to support Rheumatology services at Cannock Hospital
F Marjorie Ferguson Legacy to support the services provided at the Rehabilitation Day Unit at Cannock
Hospital
G CCH General Purpose - Legacies to support services at Cannock Hospital
H Rotary Dowding to support services at Cannock Hospital
I Millicent Jessica Dwight Legacy to provide equipment to RW Trust
J Swan Fund to support End of Life Care with in the Trust
K Cancer Centre Fund to provide a top class facility for Cancer Patients in the area
L Kenneth Arthur Hollins - CCH Dialysis
Centre		 to provide support within the Cannock Hospital Dialysis Centre
M Special Fund for Nano Bubble Pump for the provision of a Nano Bubble Pump
N New Cross General Purposes - Legacies to support services at New Cross Hospital
O RWT Singers (Choir) to improve staff morale and enhance patient and visitor experience around
the Trust
P Individual Funds <£500 Lindsay Clift Memorial Fund is to support patient safety by way of training or
providing vital monitoring equipment, Calabar Wolverhampton VISION 2020
Link is to support staff training with links to other countries, Arts in Health
Trust Fund is to support deliveryof the Trust’s Arts In Health Programme
Q Arts & Heritage to provide additional resources that; contribute to and enhance the healing
environment, therapeutic art activities for patients, their families and staff and
to record the historyof and the advancements of healthcare at RWT.
R COVID-19 to provide support to patients and staff as part of the COVID-19 recovery
S Mr Worrall Legacy to support children in hospital who have cancer

c) Unrestricted funds

i) Analysis of unrestricted funds movements

Designated funds
A
Anaesthetics
B
Medical Directorate
C
Haematology & Oncology
D
Cardiac Services
E
Renal Unit
F
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
G
Ophthalmology
H
Orthopaedics
I
Paediatrics
J
Surgical Directorate
K
Clinical Support
L
Wolverhampton Medical
Institute
M
Other Smaller Funds
N
Community Nursing
O
Research Funds		 Designated funds
A
Anaesthetics
B
Medical Directorate
C
Haematology & Oncology
D
Cardiac Services
E
Renal Unit
F
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
G
Ophthalmology
H
Orthopaedics
I
Paediatrics
J
Surgical Directorate
K
Clinical Support
L
Wolverhampton Medical
Institute
M
Other Smaller Funds
N
Community Nursing
O
Research Funds		 31 March
2022
£000
80
338
440
320
39
73
97
106
166
77
3
9
90
6
77		 Income
£000
8
29
58
24
28
4
5
5
81
8
-
-
5
-
2		 Expenditure
£000
(12)
(68)
(88)
(33)
(22)
(8)
(15)
(12)
(56)
(7)
-
-
(7)
(1)
(8)		 Transfers
£000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Gains &
losses
£000
(6)
(22)
(30)
(23)
(3)
(6)
(7)
(7)
(14)
(6)
-
(1)
(6)
-
(5)		 31 March
2023
£000
70
277
380
288
42
63
80
92
177
72
3
8
82
5
66
1,921 257 (337) - (136) 1,705
Non-designated funds
P General Purposes Funds 105 55 (64) - (10) 86
2,026 312 (401) - (146) 1,791
84

c) Unrestricted funds continued

ii) Details of unrestricted funds

c) Unrestricted funds
ii) Details of unrestricted funds		 c) Unrestricted funds
ii) Details of unrestricted funds		 continued
Name of area Description of the nature and purpose of each area
A Anaesthetics beneft of the Anaesthetics Directorate
B Medical Directorate beneft of the Medical Directorate
C Haematology & Oncology beneft of the Deanesly Centre and Cancer Services
D Cardiac Services beneft of the Cardiothoracic Directorate
E Renal Unit beneft of the Renal Unit
F Obstetrics & Gynaecology beneft of the Maternity & Gynaecology Directorate
G Ophthalmology beneft of the Ophthalmic Directorate
H Orthopaedics beneft of the Orthopaedic Directorate
I Paediatrics beneft of the Paediatric Directorate
J Surgical Directorate beneft of the Surgical Directorate
K Clinical Support beneft of Clinical Support Services
L Wolverhampton Medical
Institute		 beneft of the Wolverhampton Medical Institute
M Other smaller funds beneft of Emergency Department, Ambulatory Care, Ear Nose and Throat, Theatres,
Therapy Services, Nurse Training, Chaplaincy etc.
N Community Nursing beneft of the Community Nursing Teams
O Research Funds to support Research projects at the Trust
Unrestricted funds - Non designated funds
P General Funds beneft of New Cross Hospital

Trustees have exercised their discretion to set aside part of the unrestricted funds for designated purposes. The designation applied has taken account the wishes expressed by the donor when the funds were given. Designated funds remain unrestricted as Trustees can remove the designation at anytime.

17 Related party transactions

During the year neither the Corporate Trustee nor members of the key management staff or parties related to it has undertaken any material transactions with or received any remuneration or expenses from The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity. As part of the normal course of business the Charity has made payments totalling £835,013 (2021/22 £355,610) to The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust as Corporate Trustee of the Charity. In 2022/23 an amount of £83,212 (2021/22 £489,691) was owing to the Trust at 31 March 2023. The total income of the Corporate Trustee in the year ended 31 March 2023 amounted to £899,891,000 (2021/22 £817,270,000) and the adjusted retained surplus amounted to £90,000 (2021/22 £4,454,000).

18 Commitments

The Charity has commitments totalling £45,195 at 31 March 2023 (2021/22 £35,559) arising from requisitions placed for which the relevant goods and services have not been received. These commitments relate to unrestricted and restricted funds.

19 Donations in kind

Donations in kind have been made to aid the Charity’s mission to support The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. Donations to the value of £24,472 (2021/22 £9,839) have been included in the accounts this year for items of clothing, toys for the children’s ward, knitted blankets, sensory items and other kind gifts that help make the patients stay better. All of these items will be used for some time to come. We also received several offers of kindness for the staff and patients of the Trust and the wider community for items such as care packages, hand creams, lip balms, food and drink. The value of these items were estimated at £12,034 (2021/22 £8,781).

When received, all items were distributed as soon as possible and shared amongst the whole of the Trust.

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Designed and produced by The Department of Clinical Illustration, New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton - Tel: 01902 695377 MI_12211114_27.10.23_V_1
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