Former Wycombe Wanderers player and owner of technology group Academia, Andrew Harman, has generously donated more than 850 gifts as part of what has now become an annual tradition. Andrew and his team, between them, visited the children’s wards and day nurseries at Stoke Mandeville, Wycombe and Amersham hospitals.
This year, as well as toys for children in hospitals during the Christmas period, over 550 toys donated by Academia are being distributed by the Trust’s community teams, including health visitors, family nurse partnership team, children’s speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists Community Nurses for Children with a Learning Disability and the school nursing team to families who are struggling, as well as to looked after children.
Andrew said: “I always look forward to visiting the hospitals and delivering presents for children and families who may be missing out on some of the joy that Christmas brings. Whether they are in and out of hospital, or being cared for out in the community, this is a small gesture to say we are thinking of you and the challenges you face. It’s about bringing some festive cheer even through difficult times. It’s also a chance for us to thank the staff who work so hard all year around to support patients and their families.”
Neil Macdonald, Chief Executive of Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust said: “It’s always a pleasure to welcome Andrew to the Trust – this relationship goes back a number of years now and has become a wonderful annual tradition. We are very grateful to Andrew and Academia for their time and generosity. Their visit brought Christmas cheer to our young patients and to the staff on our children’s wards, as well as out in the community.
For more information about Academia’s work in the community, check out our Social Responsibility page here.
Thank you to the team at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust communications team for writing this release.
