Throughout December, our compassionate colleagues at DHU Healthcare came together in a heartwarming display of community support, to organise a shoebox appeal for those in need during the festive period.
As a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, providing NHS services, DHU concluded a year of charitable work by reaching out across the communities in which they operate, aiming to improve lives beyond the provision of quality patient care.
Everyone at DHU pitched in, bringing together hundreds of donations across all sites. These gifts, showcasing the generosity of the DHU family, were collected and distributed as part of the annual Shoebox Appeal. The boxes, filled with essential items and holiday treats, were sent to different food banks, such as Salcare in Heanor, The Compass Food Bank in Chesterfield, Black Country Food Bank in Oldbury, and several sites in Leicester.
The 111 team at the Orbis Advice Centre in Derby contributed over 140 boxes alone, filled with essentials and special items such as footballs and large soft toys. The culmination of these efforts ensured that families accessing the food bank the week before Christmas, including children not expecting any presents, would receive a visit from Santa after all.
Over at our Oldbury advice centre, goods were also collected by colleagues to support the homeless. Aiden Woodhall, HR Administrator based in Oldbury, said: "I just wanted to say a massive thank you to everybody who helped contribute to the donations for the homeless shelter!" after meeting Martin from the charity Reach Out.
Ella (pictured right) delivering donations to Salcare
Aiden (pictured right) meeting Martin from Reach Out
Ella Hancock, NHS111 Staff Engagement Officer, took four trolleys full of presents to SALCARE, she told us, “Our incredible teams across DHU have been collecting presents for children all across the Midlands who may have gone without this Christmas. I was delighted to drop off four trolleys full to SALCARE this morning ready to be given out this Christmas to families in need. Everyone should be extremely proud; you are going to make so many Christmases better with your kind donations.”
DHU Healthcare's shoebox appeal stands as a wonderful example of how, despite being geographically spread out, colleagues can go beyond their daily roles and come together in a very real way to make life better for the communities they serve. After delivering presents and gifts, many of them will be delivering kind and compassionate care throughout the Christmas period to those who need it the most.
A big thank you to everyone at DHU Healthcare working throughout this Christmas and New Year, and to those who will be joining them from our health partners across the country to keep you safe and well.
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