Raising money - and smiles - with the RD&E Charity

Patients and staff at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust are set to benefit from the RD&E Charity which officially launched yesterday (13 January 2020).

The RD&E Charity exists to raise money for a wide range of activities over and above what the NHS is able to provide, to make a real difference to patients, their families and the amazing staff who treat them.

A new fundraising team has been put in place at the Trust for the first time to raise money on behalf of staff, patients and visitors. The team will arrange and support fundraising activities for the charity as a whole and for individual departments within the Trust. The charity offers individuals and groups a way of saying thank you for the care they or their loved ones receive. The charity’s new brand reflects the idea that people want to demonstrate their gratitude - whether that is through a smile or by donating money to the charity.

Suzanne Tracey, Chief Executive at the RD&E, said: “As a Trust, we regularly receive donations from patients and families who want to show their appreciation for the care and support they have received while at the RD&E. These generous donations go on to support projects, provide revolutionary equipment not traditionally covered by NHS funding, or allow us to provide additional comforts to patients, visitors and staff during their time with us. Until now, we did not have a fundraising team to support those who so generously donated money and items to our Trust or to fundraise ourselves.

“I’m very excited about the launch of our rebranded RD&E Charity and look forward to seeing the positive impact that this will have on those who spend time with us – whether that’s as a patient, visitor, volunteer or a member of our fantastic staff.”

Ian Roome, Head of Fundraising, said: “We are thrilled about the RD&E Charity and look forward to getting started on setting up fundraising activities for those who would like to support their local Trust.”

If you would like to get involved or fundraise for the charity, please visit rdecharity.com or call 01392 402040.