The Friends of St George's Hospital

The Friends of St George's Hospital is a UK-based nonprofit organization and registered charity (charity number 209330) dedicated to supporting St George’s Hospital in London and its community. Established over 60 years ago, the organization has a long-standing history of providing assistance and enhancing the wellbeing of both patients and hospital staff[1][2][3].

History and Mission

The Friends first operated at the hospital’s original site in Hyde Park Corner and have continued their work since the hospital relocated to Tooting. Throughout its history, the charity’s fundamental aim has remained consistent: to help and support patients and staff at St George's Hospital by providing funding and resources beyond what is typically available through the National Health Service[1][2].

Activities and Support

The Friends of St George’s Hospital engage in a variety of fundraising and supportive activities to improve the hospital environment and patient care. These include:

• Running a charity shop located in the Lanesborough Wing of the hospital.
• Operating two trolley services: one that offers refreshments to people waiting in outpatient clinics, and another that serves hospital wards.
• Organizing events such as Easter sales, summer and Christmas tombolas, and participation in local markets to raise funds.
• Accepting donations of second-hand items such as jewellery, books, jigsaws, children's toys, and hand-knitted baby wear, which are either sold or used to enhance patient comfort[1][2].

Funding and Impact

The charity's trustees consider applications from any hospital department for support, which can range from funding vital medical equipment to providing enhancements like repainting children’s play areas. This flexibility allows the Friends to address diverse needs, making a tangible difference in patient and staff experience.

Funds raised by the Friends have been used to provide state-of-the-art medical equipment, create more welcoming areas, and furnish staff rooms with essential amenities like refrigerators[1][2][3].

Relationship with St George’s Hospital Charity

While The Friends of St George's Hospital focus on patient and staff comforts and smaller-scale projects, St George's Hospital Charity, a separate entity, concentrates on larger-scale funding initiatives including major facility improvements, research, and medical equipment. Both organizations collaborate in their shared goal of enhancing the hospital’s services and patient care[5].

By combining grassroots fundraising efforts with close collaboration with hospital departments, The Friends of St George's Hospital continue to play a vital role in supporting patient welfare and staff wellbeing at one of London's key healthcare institutions.

[1] https://www.stgeorges.nhs.uk/about/charities/the-friends-of-st-georges/ [2] https://www.friendsofstgeorgeshospital.org.uk [3] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/209330 [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/209330/contact-information [5] https://www.stgeorgeshospitalcharity.org.uk/about-us/about-the-charity