Thursday saw the grand opening of a brand new Charity Hub in the main entrance of University Hospital Coventry.

The Charity Hub is a new interactive and dedicated space for patients and their families to talk fundraising, events, donations and the difference that can be made at Coventry & Rugby hospitals. Charity team staff will be on hand to discuss with visitors, patients and staff, how they can get involved in fundraising for specific departments and services at University Hospital Coventry, St Cross Hospital Rugby and Coventry & Warwickshire Partnership Trust

Andrew Meehan, Chairman of UHCW Charity, was joined by patients, families and staff as he officially ‘cut the ribbon’. CEO, Andy Hardy along with executive and non-executive directors of University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust were also in attendance.

Andrew Meehan, said: “We are very excited to open our new Charity Hub which gives us an unmissable presence in the hospital making it easier for visitors and staff to find out more about UHCW Charity and the difference it makes to patients and their families.”

The brightly decorated walls and glass-fronted new space will give visitors, staff and patients the opportunity to find out more about the Hospital’s fundraising. Each of the walls features Charity supporters with images and quotes of the motivation that led them to raise funds for UHCW Charity. A three panelled glass wall features an interchangeable case study of how donations have made a difference, pioneering interactive touch-screen where visitors are invited to learn more about the Charity which is also active when the office is closed and a contactless ‘tap to donate’ device which enables visitors to donate to the Charity when passing by the window.

Jo O’Sullivan, Head of Charity, said:

“This is a really exciting time for us and we were humbled by how many people joined us for the grand opening of the new Charity Hub. The Hub has been something that we have wanted to do for a while and we are so pleased with how it has all come together.

The Hub will give us a huge boost to raise money to further improve the services that we provide at University Hospital Coventry and St Cross Hospital Rugby.”

Many of the Charity’s supporters that appear on the walls attended the grand opening including local broadcaster Bob Brolly and friend Chris Rhodris who over the years have raised and donated no less than £100,000 to UHCW Charity. Laura Worsley and her miracle baby Ivy who made international headlines earlier this year as she told her heart-breaking story of miscarrying 11 times before welcoming baby Ivy with the help of Professor Quenby at UHCW; and a local group of ladies from Rugby known as ‘Arden Angels’ led by Tracie Mills, a brave, terminally ill cancer patient who continues to battle on and raise money for the Arden Cancer Centre at UHCW.

To find out how you can support UHCW Charity, please call 02476 966913 or visit www.uhcwcharity.org