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 Kevin Candeias, 11 years old from Gospel Oak, brightened up the Royal Free Hospital for Christmas this week when he officially turned on the Christmas tree lights.
Kevin visited the Royal Free for physiotherapy on his arm following a fall from his bike and Chris Burghes, chief executive of the Royal Free Charity, asked if he would like to switch on the Christmas tree lights. Chris said: “We didn’t want gimmicks or celebrity, we were just hoping for a patient who would enjoy the honour of turning on our Christmas lights. Kevin was a great sport.”
Chris and Kevin were joined by David Sloman, chief executive, and Fran Thompson, paediatric physiotherapist, for the official switching on of the Christmas tree lights.
The Christmas tree, donated by the Royal Free Charity and sponsored by MITIE’s Asset Management division, is just one of many festive treats the Royal Free Charity has organised in the run-up to Christmas.
Chris said: “We are delighted to be able to offer staff, patients and visitors to the hospital a host of festive experiences this year. We have arranged for baby gift packs for any child born on Christmas day and presents for older children who are spending Christmas in hospital. We have also decorated many wards and provided entertainment including carol singers for everyone to enjoy.
“All of this has been made possible with the support of MITIE. The Royal Free Charity supports improvements to patient experience, medical research and innovation in the trust. We are currently expanding our fundraising and MITIE is the first major supporter to join us on this journey.”
MITIE was appointed by the trust to develop and operate the new energy centre in a scheme which will reduce both energy costs and carbon emissions. The new combined heat and power installation at the Royal Free is due to go live just in time for Christmas.
Mike Tivey, MITIE Asset Management, said: “MITIE is very pleased to sponsor the Royal Free Charity and we hope this is the start of a long-lasting relationship with the hospital and the community it serves”
The Royal Free Charity has arranged for carol singers at the front entrance of the Royal Free hospital on Tuesday 21 December 2010.
Notes to editors
1. For more information, contact Kathleen Friel on 020 7317 7590 or email: kathleen.friel@nhs.net
2. The Royal Free is Dr Foster’s ‘large trust of the year’ for 2010. Our services have been rated “excellent” for the third year running, most recently by the Care Quality Commission. The trust attracts patients from across the country and beyond to its specialist services in liver, kidney and bone marrow transplantation, surgery for hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) conditions, clinical neurosciences, renal, HIV, infectious diseases, plastic surgery, immunology, vascular surgery, cardiology, amyloidosis and scleroderma and are a member of the academic health science partnership UCL Partners. For further information, visit www.royalfree.nhs.uk
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