Going The Extra Mile For Our Hospital Families

We are delighted to have received generous support from the Scottish Government’s Wellbeing Fund, which was established to help people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Funding secured by Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity is helping to support our families with the emotional challenges of a hospital stay during the crisis. 

Between the start of lockdown and the end of May, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity has funded over 840 miles of journeys to help parents and carers cope with the mounting costs of visiting their child in hospital.

As a national centre of excellence, 1 in 4 children treated at the hospital travel from beyond Greater Glasgow for specialist care, with travel being provided for families as far as Dumfries. With the ongoing travel and visiting restrictions in place, what would normally be straightforward trips between home and the hospital become even more challenging for families.

“It's an extremely worrying time when your child is admitted to hospital, and it can be even more stressful during the current pandemic. Families from out-with Glasgow face further challenges, as the mounting costs of travel to and from the hospital can quickly become unmanageable."

 Kirsten Sinclair, Chief Operating Officer, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity

Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity is funding this service as part of its ongoing commitment to support young patients and families emotionally, practically and financially during their hospital stay. 

This is just one of a number of vital projects funded by Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity as part of its ongoing relief efforts to support the NHS and young patients through the Covid-19 crisis. The charity has already funded Staff Wellbeing Rooms, emergency financial aid for parents and carers, and technology to keep children in hospital connected with their families.

Now, as the government eases lockdown restrictions, we are relying on our incredible supporters to keep donating and fundraising to ensure that we can continue being there beyond the crisis for the many thousands of families who rely on our life-changing services.

 “While some lockdown restrictions are beginning to be relaxed, we must remember that many of our hospital families will need to continue following strict shielding practices to keep their children safe in hospital. That is why now more than ever, charity-funded projects like our Play Programme and Family Support Services are crucial for the well-being of young patients."

 Kirsten Sinclair, Chief Operating Officer, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has generously donated since the start of the Covid-19 lockdown, and hope that we can count on this continued generosity beyond the crisis to ensure that we can continue being there for those children in hospital who need us most.