Businesses from across Leicester and Leicestershire have raised a huge £39,000 for a new neonatal ventilator and other equipment that will save countless lives.
More than 360 people from 15 local and national businesses came together with NHS staff at Leicester Hospitals Charity’s first ever Heroes Ball on Saturday 27 November to raise money for this life-saving equipment.
The event, hosted by BBC Radio Leicester presenter Ady Dayman at Winstanley House in Leicester, also focussed heart and minds on the impact of Covid over the last 18 months, remembering those whose lives had been lost and paying tribute to the heroic NHS staff who have worked tirelessly to protect their patients throughout the pandemic.
Money was raised through a live auction and silent auction with prizes ranging from Nevill Holt Opera tickets to furniture from Charles Bentley Furniture, match day hospitality tickets at Leicester City FC and a round of golf with Foxes legend Gerry Taggart.
Corporate sponsors BVM Medical, Berkeley Insurance Group and the Thakrar Foundation also funded tables for 90 hospital staff to join in the celebrations, in thanks for all they’ve done to care for the people of Leicestershire.
One of the key corporate sponsors was Leicester wholesaler, Anand International. Vic Sethi, said: “It was an excellent event with great entertainment, speeches and food. We, the Anand and Sethi family, are honoured to be sponsoring the NHS as we owe it to them. This is the least we can do to show our appreciation for their hard work. We are so grateful and proud of everyone working directly or indirectly for the NHS. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the NHS at all times.”
Another key sponsor was Nuffield Health Leicester Hospital. Stephen Haselip, sales and services manager, said: “We are pleased to offer our continued support to the NHS and the teams at University Hospitals Leicester at this challenging time and we are especially proud to support the Leicester Hospitals Charity as it offers so much help and support to the local community.”
Gavin Bee, healthcare client director at NTT DATA UK, said: “University Hospitals Leicester is an important client of ours and we are so proud to be able to support its charity’s first ever NHS Heroes Ball, raising vital funds and celebrating caring at its best. We all look forward to next year’s event which we know will be even bigger and better.”
The ventilator will mean that the neonatal team at Leicester Royal Hospital will be able to care for its 1,600 babies a year with the most up-to-date equipment. The money will also be used to fund other desperately needed equipment across the hospital.
Lisa Davies, director of Leicester Hospitals Charity, said: “To see so many businesses get involved and give so generously was incredibly heart-warming and we cannot thank them enough. The difference this will make to the lives of so many babies and their families when they are most in need is huge.”
