Fans’ generosity is just the ticket for LRI
SUPPORTERS DONATE £162,000 TO HELP REFURBISH KINMOUTH UNIT
PATIENTS facing long hospital stays are enjoying brighter, better wards thanks to Leicester City fans.
The coronavirus pandemic has prevented fans attending matches for most of this year, but many season ticket-holders who were offered rebates volunteered to give some of the money to charity instead.
The club’s Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation, named after the former chairman of the club who died in a helicopter crash at the King Power Stadium, has now donated the £162,000 from season ticketholders to Leicester Royal Infirmary’s Kinmonth Unit.
The unit, which admits patients who require major surgery or are being treated for complex diagnoses, has used the cash on wall art, furniture, televisions and other refurbishment work.
Those benefiting will include patients who face longer than usual periods in hospital due to isolating because of Covid-19.
Thousands of City season ticketholders chose to donate a proportion of the rebate offered to them by the football club following the suspension of the 2019/20 Premier League season in March.
Lora Petrova, Kinmonth Unit sister, said the fans’ generosity had made a big difference. “I’d like to say a huge thank you to the club and their fans for this kind donation to our Kinmouth Unit,” she said.
“The donation has helped us to make the unit a nicer and calmer environment for our patients and their families during their stay with us.
“My team and I will be forever grateful for what you have done.”
Supporting the refurbishment of the Kinmonth Unit adds to the work the Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation has undertaken during the pandemic, with University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust and Age UK Leicestershire & Rutland
among the foundation’s beneficiaries
Susan Whelan, Leicester City’s chief executive and a trustee of the foundation, pictured left, said: “The generosity shown by our incredible supporters to help Leicester Royal Infirmary in its efforts to refurbish the Kinmonth Unit was extraordinary.
“I’d like to thank them for their kind donations.
“The facility is such an asset to the hospital and we hope the funds donated by our fans will help to improve patient experience and transform the lives of staff and patients.”
Leicester’s Hospitals Charity director, Lisa Davies, said: “We are deeply grateful to the foundation and Leicester City Football Club for helping this much-needed refurbishment of the Kinmonth Unit.
“Patients facing long hospital stays and the staff supporting them will really value the improved environment, especially during the effects of the pandemic.”