The Guild of Friends supports the work of the hospital in a number of ways
Through the Hospital’s excellent Social Work Department we provide a guaranteed sum every month for distribution to low income families, to help meet the unexpected expenses of travel, food, telephone calls and other essentials.
‘We are so grateful to the Guild of Friends for helping us with additional travel costs whilst our daughter Hannah was recovering from major surgery shortly after birth. At such a stressful time it was such a relief not to also have additional financial worries. Thank you so much!’
Play Department
This department depends on voluntary finding for its supplies, from toys, crafts and crayons to outdoor play equipment.
"We really appreciate the craft supplies, which we would not usually be able to afford, that add extra season sparkle at those times of the year" Play Department Manager
POD Children’s Charity
Through POD, a children's entertainment charity, The Guild funds monthly visits from professional entertainers and magicians who bring fun and laughter to the wards and playroom.
Angels in Art
Art inspires in so many ways every day, and through a series of art-themed events, the 'Angels in Art' project has helped to raise funds for art activities for the children at The Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.
The idea for the project was created in 2002 by Elaine Thomas who was a former art teacher at Tockington Manor School. Elaine and Jane Tovey, a past and now present Chairman of The Guild of Friends, worked with children and teachers from a great many schools to arrange fun and creative events, including two wonderful exhibitions of artwork by young people on the themes of angels and stars.
Along with a series of illustrated lectures given by Elaine and the very generous support of the Brownsword Charitable Foundation of Bath, the project raised over £18,000.00 for the Guild of Friends.
Once a month in the Children's Hospital there is a designated 'Star Day' when the Playgroup team set up an activity area to create the stars. The children design their own stars which are made into stickers and are given back to the children.
The ‘Angels in Art’ project funds the printing costs of the stickers. It also funds all the special activity crafts in the Playgroup department at Christmas and Easter time. A selection of stars was also recreated as enamelled versions and are displayed around the hospital.
Some quotes from parents:
‘Aisha had fun making the stars; it’s a fun activity for the children. Thank you for the stickers’.
‘My son loved making the star for his brother; we can’t wait to see the finished stickers’.
‘Jacob had fun making his star. I think it was his favourite activity and he is really looking forward to receiving his stickers. Thank you to the Guild of Friends from Jacob's Mummy’.
Specialised Equipment Purchases
When funds allow we provide more substantial sums to purchase specialist equipment which is beyond the budget of the hospital but reduces inpatient time, theatre time, or in any way improves the quality of life of the patients.
In the past we have purchased an intensive care monitor, a specialist operating table, chemotherapy computer package, cardio vascular ultrasound imaging unit, and TENS machines to allow children with chronic conditions to leave hospital and return to their families, school and activities. For the wards we purchased a portable saturation monitor and some new apnoea alarms.Larger one-off donations include £20,000 for a Diomed Laser for use in twin to twin transfusion and £13000 towards a new high tech baby resuscitation mannequin for training staff.
We rely solely on donations and our fundraising to carry out the functions of the charity. We thank you so much for your continuing support.
The Guild's contributions make a very real difference to improving the hospital experience of the children and their families.
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