All donations accepted are entered in the Patient Welfare Fund (PWF) Hospitality Book which is held with the Charity Coordinator. Financial donations are receipted and paid into the PWF bank account. All donors will receive a letter of thanks on behalf of the PWF which also acts as a receipt from the PWF. The following information is required to ensure our audit trail is complete:
Name of Contact
Name of Organisation
Nature of Donation or amount of Donation
Record of Cheque number
Address for thank you correspondence to be sent.
We are not able to collect donations. If you wish to personally deliver your donation, do not take them directly to the hospital ward due to security reasons, patient privacy and dignity as this is not allowed. Please ring 0121 371 5317 to speak to the Charity Co-Ordinator to arrange a suitable appointment.
Offers of assistance are also common and acceptance requires careful consideration:
Volunteering of Individual Services. Offers of this nature (visiting, escort for recreational activities etc.) are politely declined as it is important not to over burden patients with visitors and we have sufficient staff within RCDM to manage recreational activities.
Offer of Recreational Activities. These can be very beneficial to patients as well as being good for morale.
Please be aware that some patients are at an early stage of recovery and there is no guarantee of their ability to attend. Other patients will be individually assessed to see if they are able to attend and be beneficial.
The patient has to want to go so again please do not be offended if an offer is declined.
What we don't need:
We do not wish to appear selective in what we can accept, but it is important donations are chanelled correctly. Please ensure the donation is suitable (ie war games might not be appropriate at any early stage of recovery).
Old magazines, and books (we regularly receive new publications and do not have further storage facilities).
DVDs given away in newspapers . However, new DVDs are welcome.
Second-hand equipment - we are unable to accept these on health and safety grounds. (But do feel free to sell things and then donate the money!)
Toiletries. There is a charitable organisation Called Troop Aid which provides all the toiletries we need (See link to other charities).
Alcohol. This may not be beneficial to the patient.
