Raise a Rainbow for our hospital charity and spread the love – New appeal to raise vital funds launched on Valentine’s Day
Show us just how much you care this Valentine’s Day by helping Raise a Rainbow to spread the love across Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Waveney.
Our new Raise a Rainbow appeal, under the James Paget University Hospital Charity umbrella, aims to raise much-needed cash for a range of projects which will help improve the lives of those who live in and visit the area we cover.
Today a brand new website has been launched – www.jpaget-charity.org.uk - which offers a host of inspiring stories, fundraising ideas and practical advice for those wishing to help the Gorleston-based hospital.
There are also details about the initial projects the new Raise a Rainbow Appeal hopes to fund at the James Paget.
These include two new areas planned for the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department: a new children’s play area for younger patients and their siblings and a bereavement suite for families facing their darkest hours.
The James Paget University Hospital Charity provides funding for the important equipment, projects and the vital extras which fall outside the remit of National Health Service funding.
Its aim is to supply what NHS money doesn’t always fund and cash is used to improve patient areas and also invest heavily in state-of-the-art equipment to diagnose and treat patients.
Recently, cash raised by fundraisers has been used to buy a new thermal unit for the Neo-natal Ward, toys for the Children’s Ward, a special chair to aid the recovery of patients who have suffered a stroke and a remote-control Mercedes Jeep which takes children from their bed to the operating theatre to help park their nerves.
A dedicated Bereavement Suite is needed to help A&E deliver difficult news to families and loved ones in a quiet place, offering them a safe space to digest the news.
Additionally, the Raise a Rainbow campaign aims to take some of the “ouch” out of A&E for young visitors who can often feel scared and anxious when they visit hospital.
A new purpose-built area is planned where children and their siblings will be able to play and relax as they wait to be seen, with brightly-coloured multi-sensory equipment, a ‘blue sky’ LED ceiling and toys.
James Paget University Hospital Charity co-ordinator Maxine Taylor said: “With your support we can help more people and support our incredible patients, their families and our staff.
“We want the hospital at the heart of your community to be the best it can be – and to help us reach our goal, we need your help!
“Our new Raise a Rainbow Appeal will directly help people who need it most. We chose a rainbow because it symbolises hope – our message is that together, we can make the James Paget even better for everyone.”
James Paget Charity Chair of Trustees Anna Davidson said: “We are very proud of our hospital, the quality of care we provide for our patients and the staff who make the Paget such a special place to work.
“Over the years, the local community has shown that its shares this pride by generously supporting a number of appeals run by the charity.
“Now, we hope local people will join us again by getting behind our new Raise a Rainbow appeal so that together we can further enhance the Paget for all its patients.”
