The Christmas Stars campaign managed to raise over £40,000 last year and offers an opportunity for local companies, community groups, schools and families to sponsor a star to help light up Bassetlaw Hospital, Doncaster Royal Infirmary or Montagu Hospital throughout the festive season whilst also raising vital funds for the Trust for reinvestment in patient care and facilities.
The team at GXO in Doncaster sponsored the medium star last year but have gone one better this time round and have sponsored the largest star available. Gavin Williams, GXO Managing Director, UK & Ireland, spoke about why the company decided to sponsor the star: “We are committed to supporting communities wherever we work nationwide. We are delighted to have this opportunity to help Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals raise funds for their important mission.”
The sponsorship of the star is a continuation of the support that GXO have provided DBTH over the last year. Another example of their fantastic efforts is their creation of a gift tree for the children’s ward at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, which saw 165 individually wrapped gifts being given out to the children on the ward, as well as 10 gift boxes for parents on the neonatal ward.
Alongside this they have held sponsored fancy dress events, collected colouring books, and delivered 135 Easter eggs to the Children’s ward, as well as helped pack the NHS thank you badges that were handed out to all members of staff across the trust.
On the support that GXO has provided, Michael Jones, Training Manager, GXO UK & Ireland, said: “Sponsoring the star came about because we asked our colleagues on-site which local charity they would like to support, and people kept on suggesting the hospital. So, we started fundraising and delivering presents to the Children’s Ward and have carried on ever since. We have sent colouring books, Easter eggs, and even managed to raise funds to purchase a video game console with a stand and a TV for the ward.
“It has really resonated with everyone on-site, and we now have colleagues asking when the gift tree will be back up again,” Jones continued. “People are really invested in it and with the site being only five minutes down the road, they can drive past and see the star that we have sponsored. We’re very pleased to do what we can to help our local hospital.”
Last Christmas, the GXO Doncaster team raised over £1,500 for the Trust and donated 165 presents to the Children’s Ward. The team has continued their fundraising efforts throughout 2021, having raised £1,170 in addition to the £1,500 donation made for sponsoring a star this Christmas and the gift tree that they will have on-site again this December for collecting presents for the Children’s Ward.
Mathew Timms, Matron for the Children’s Ward at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, said: “On behalf of the Children and Families Division at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to GXO for their continued support, kindness and generosity. Their fundraising efforts and donations have played a huge part in improving the lives for Children, Young People and Families.
“Sometimes it’s just those little acts of kindness that a Child or Young Person will remember the most about their hospital stay, no matter how scary or daunting the time was. Thank you again, GXO Logistics. Your compassion is truly appreciated by us all.”
If you have any other questions about how you can support DBTH, you can contact the Fundraising and Communications Team on 01302 644244 or dbth.charity@nhs.net.