Banking on a Happy Christmas

Christmas delivery thanks to lunch fundraiser.

Patients at a Birmingham hospital children’s ward received a ‘festive bonus’ – thanks to staff at Barclays who banked on giving the youngsters a Happy Christmas.

Employees at the bank’s corporate headquarters in Birmingham city centre dug deep to provide Ward 11 at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Northfield, with a Christmas Eve delivery of a television set, computer games, books and toys.

And Barclays matched the £1,000 raised by a raffle at Birmingham Press Club’s Christmas lunch to provide additional funds for the hospital’s paediatric department, which has just undergone a major refurbishment.

Ray O’Donoghue, Birmingham-based Managing Director of Barclays Corporate, said: “Ward 11 provides incredible medical treatment to children with injuries and diseases of the bone and joints – as well as offering tremendous support to their families. And although the hospital is a national centre of excellence it still requires backing from charitable funds to provide support and enhance the environment and facilities for patients.”

He added that the gifts were part of Barclays’ commitment to work closely with the hospital and secure items on their ‘wish list’ for a new playroom for 2-11 year olds.

Birmingham Press Club director Llewela Bailey was also on hand to distribute gifts which had also been donated by guests at the Press Club’s Christmas lunch.