I am thinking of you in these unprecedented times and I pray that you will remain safe and well. With all my good wishes, HRH Princess Alexandra (Patron of the Trust)
Actor Michael Sheen posted a video to his Twitter page thanking hospitals across the UK for their hard work and included a special message for Harefield’s intensive therapy unit (ITU) and theatre nurses. He paid tribute to the “hardworking, funny and incredibly professional” nurses, noting that half of the ITU was still operating for cardiac surgery while the rest of the unit treated COVID-19 patients. Michael ended the video by offering his thanks and best wishes to our staff.
England cricketer Jos Buttler donated his signed world cup final shirt which was auctioned for £65,000 to raise funds for vital equipment at the Trust.
Melvin Odoom, BBC Radio 1 presenter: “I want you to know that we really appreciate everything that you guys are doing. It may feel like a strange time and sometimes it may feel like we’re not actually getting anywhere, but everyone appreciates every last thing, every hour, every second that you’re putting into your work.”
Message from Harefield’s MP David Simmonds, MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner: “Please share my thanks to colleagues who are working so hard on our frontline, not without personal risk, treating and caring for my constituents. I know I speak for all our community when I commend the heroic response of our NHS providers. It has been heartening to see the public display of appreciation, as neighbours join each other in ‘clapping for our carers’ at eight o’clock every Thursday evening. I appreciate that meeting this unprecedented challenge and delivering the NHS response involves overcoming countless and untold difficulties.
Nurse Georgina Ledwith tweeted her thanks to Mayor of London Sadiq Khan for free access to Santander Cycles and received a personal message back from the Mayor, who tweeted: “Thank YOU, Georgina – and to everyone at @RBandH for everything you are doing day in day out to protect and help Londoners. #LondonTogether”
Actor Hugh Dennis, fronting the Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals Charity’s emergency appeal wrote: “Royal Brompton and Harefield Trust is a world renowned specialist hospital for heart and lungs and the amazing staff there are therefore at the forefront of the battle to care for the most vulnerable patients with Covid and the staff are being amazing. They are exhausted, they are worn out but they are keeping going to provide amazing care.”
Baroness Boothroyd, former MP, Speaker of the House of Commons and Royal Brompton patient: “I have been in isolation for six weeks. I live alone in a house remotely situated in a small village… I pay my personal tribute to the NHS by doing a tap dance on the kitchen floor. But for Royal Brompton, which has cared for me for 20 years, I wouldn't be here, let alone capable of doing a jig. So, I do a few tap routines I learned as a girl, paying my tribute to all those in the NHS and care services, whatever might be their department. Thank you for your steadfastness and devotion to duty. You are like a bright star shining out over a dark, frightening sky, giving us hope for a future. Keep shining and smiling and mind how you go.”
Footballer turned actor Vinnie Jones, whose late wife Tanya had a heart transplant at Harefield, said: “Hello everybody at Harefield, all the doctors and nurses, and everybody that works there. You know what a special place it is for me and I’m sure it’s going to be a special place for a lot of other people in the next few weeks and months. Keeping going strong, we need you. You’re fantastic, you’re awesome all of you. You always have been and always will be.”
Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood posted on the Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals Charity’s ‘care and share’ noticeboard: “You’re amazing, carry on doing what you’re doing and everyone appreciates you so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you is the message.”
HRH Princess Eugenie offered thanks for treating her father-in-law George Brooksbank, saying: “I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone at Royal Brompton Hospital for what you’ve done in saving my father-in-law’s life. George came back to us the other day so happy and as the ‘miracle man’ as he’s called himself, and from the bottom of my husband’s and my hearts we just want to thank you for everything you’ve done on the frontline from risking your lives and those close to you and making sure that we can all keep safe and sleep well at night. So, thank you so much and thank you for giving us all hope, thank you for changing the course of this pandemic.”
HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex: “Today may be the final night for clapping the NHS, but you are not, nor ever will be, forgotten. You are still receiving and caring for very sick patients, and as you move to a COVID-free state you will resume your roles in specialist respiratory and premiere cardiac hospitals. I just want to take a moment to recognise your spirit and dedication, and to let you know how much we all appreciate what you’ve done, and continue to do every day. Thank you.”
Singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor wrote: “I just wanted to say that my family on Thursday at 8pm and I will be clapping for Harefield Hospital. I know you’re doing amazing things there and I know COVID-19 has given you some real tough challenges, but thank you so much for all you’re doing, stay safe and we’re thinking of you. Yes, you’ll be hearing our pots and plans.”
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Acts of public kindness and benevolence >
