The Richard Thomas Leukaemia Fund recently donated an amazing £5,000 to LNWH Charity’s Haematology fund to create a calming and welcoming room for relatives visiting their loved ones on the new Drake Ward at Northwick Park Hospital.

The Fund, which was set up by Richard’s family and friends following his passing on 4th July 1997, has long supported the haematology services in appreciation of the care Richard received as he bravely battled his illness. This generosity has included refurbishing the Haematology Day-care department, which was renamed ‘The Richard Thomas Unit’ in honour of the Fund’s incredible contribution.

Richard’s Sister, Lucy, spoke on behalf of the Fund to say:

“We are delighted to support the work of the whole haematology team, who do such amazing work to help patients in their battle against leukaemia. We spent a lot of time in the hospital when Richard was poorly and it would have been helpful to us, as a family, to have had somewhere quiet to take a break”.

The funding for the relatives room allowed Clinical Nurse Manager Janette Santillan to purchase beautifully comfortable furniture and tea making facilities that offer a peaceful space for relatives to relax in.

“We wanted to create a room that visitors could use for both privacy and comfort, where they would feel at home and able to gather their thoughts. The wonderful donation not only meant we could furnish the room exactly how we wanted, but we were also able to purchase some similar furniture for our smaller ‘Quiet Room’, which staff use to speak in privacy with the loved ones of patients”.

In addition, the Fund kindly donated £1,000 to provide provisions for the Leukaemia Support Group meetings, enabling organisers to purchase tea, coffee and tasty treats for current and former patients attending the regular sessions. Lucy explained:

“The support group is a fantastic initiative and we are delighted that the meetings will be held with some refreshments, whilst people continue to support each other”.

LNWH Charity and the Haematology Department would like to say a massive thank you to everyone connected with the Richard Thomas Leukaemia Fund for their astonishing support over the last two decades.