Thank You Week

It has been a great honour for King’s College Hospital Charity to support our NHS staff throughout the undeniably challenging events of 2020, and an incredible privilege to harness the support of our local communities through our Hospital Heroes Appeal.

Even before 'Thank You Week' kicked off, our local communities were loud and proud in voicing their gratitude to our hospitals.

"There are no words to explain how much we appreciate everything you have done, have ALWAYS done and will continue to do for us. You all deserve medals the size of dustbin lids!"

This week, we joined members of the Foundation Trust’s executive team at Orpington Hospital, the Princess Royal University Hospital, and King’s College Hospital to personally thank staff for their extraordinary commitment during COVID-19.

And while medals the size of dustbin lids sadly did not form part of our humble offering, staff did receive small tokens of gratitude including lanyards, sweets, certificates of appreciation, commemorative pin badges, and a personal letter of thanks from the Foundation Trust.

Abi says, "It was so inspiring to see NHS staff so thankful for such small gifts"

Niamh O’Neill, a nurse who was redeployed to Critical Care during the pandemic, said she and her team were feeling the Thank You Week love.

“Thank you for supporting us during COVID-19”, Niamh said.

“Every small thing is greatly appreciated.”

King’s College Hospital Charity was also very proud to unveil the apple trees now planted on behalf of our local communities at each hospital site.

Charity Chief Executive, Gail Scott-Spicer said, "The staff gave everything and more in the COVID-19 peak earlier this year, and continue to do so every day.

We have planted apple trees at each site and encourage anyone who visits to take an apple and reflect on the efforts of hospital staff during the pandemic."

King’s Chief Executive Clive Kay acknowledged the commitment to care hospital staff showed during the pandemic, in a heartfelt message broadcast at the start of Thank You Week.

"Thank you for your resilience and the hard work you've put in this year. It's a year like no other. I remain extremely proud of how you continue to adapt to change."

With a nod to the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, Nicola Ranger echoed Clive’s sentiments.

"Everyone has made a fantastic contribution. As Chief Nurse and Executive Director of Midwifery, I do particularly want to thank the Nurses and Midwifes... they have been truly amazing"

Chief Medical Officer Leonie Penna took a moment to highlight the efforts of newly-qualified Doctors.

"Junior Doctors, you were all amazing. You didn't question the extra hours you worked, the extra weekends, and shifts, just went on and did it without complaints, and that is amazing"

Plaques are on display under the apple trees planted on behalf of our local communities

As the week went on, our Charity staff were increasingly humbled by the staff's response to the apple trees and the small gifts, and their overwhelming gratitude for the support of the community.

Chief Executive Clive Kay said “I know hundreds of donations have been made from various families and individuals who live close to our hospitals. This really emphasises how highly valued, respected, and loved our local hospitals are."

Thanks to the generosity of the community, we were able to provide so much of the additional support given to staff during the pandemic, including wellbeing hubs which became a vital lifeline for staff working long shifts in full PPE.

Practice Development Nurse, Kay Biljohn, said “it’s been amazing the way people are caring and giving to the NHS, and that they can appreciate the work we are doing.

It’s been amazing how people have opened their hearts, and their hands.”

Thank you to everyone who supported our Hospital Heroes Appeal, and joined us in celebrating our heroic NHS staff.