Fundraising calendar shows Harrogate District Hospital staff at work during COVID-19 pandemic

The calendar is now on sale, raising money for Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT). The photos featured in the calendar are the winners of the 2020 photo competition run by the charity to celebrate #teamHDFT and all that it means to its staff, patients and service users.

There were more than 50 entries to the competition and the winning selection includes images of Harrogate, Knaresborough and surrounding areas, as well as images of staff at work during the pandemic.

For a copy of the calendar, click here, email hdft.hhcc@nhs.net or call 01423 557408.

Sammy Lambert, Business Development, Charity and Volunteer Manager, said: “It’s been a tough year for both colleagues and service users at the trust, and we are really keen to raise as much as we can following the success of last year’s calendar in order to continue improving what the trust can do for its local communities.

'Children’s books'

Meanwhile Dishforth mum Sarah Lynch has been raising money to buy cleanable children’s books and activities for children of all ages attending Harrogate District Hospital where her son, William, has been receiving treatment.

Some books and toys were removed from the Woodlands Children’s Ward and clinic waiting rooms at the hospital when COVID-19 hit in order to prevent the spread of infection. Sarah and William noticed they were missing during recent visits to the hospital and wanted to help provide a solution, aware that these items are important for service users of all ages, including carers, to provide comfort and distraction in difficult times.

They initially set a target of £100, although this has now been surpassed and continues to rise. They hope to be able to give children staying at the hospital items to keep, as well as to have some in rotation in the waiting areas and for visiting families.

Sarah said: “There are children attending their first appointments, many with more complex needs than William. Regardless of their diagnosis, all children need distractions, if anything to also comfort their worried parents and carers.

“Our son is now eight years old and has a diagnosis of arthritis, enthesitis, autism and an arachnoid cyst. We would like to say a huge thank-you to all the medical team at Harrogate District Hospital for their amazing, consistent, warm-hearted and ongoing care that William has received, and still is!