A message from our chair
2020 was a turbulent year to say the least, but it’s also one in which we stood in awe at the strength and resilience shown by the children and families we support and the incredible staff who care for them.
We also end the year feeling more grateful than ever to our wonderful supporters, both new and old, who faced with uncertainty themselves, came forward to help – running virtual marathons, stepping the length of a virtual Wales and putting their hands deep into their pockets when we asked for support. It’s thanks to their continued dedication that we have been able to fulfil many of the commitments we feared may not be possible when the pandemic hit.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to those working quickly to identify and meet the needs of hospital patients, families and staff, as they themselves faced the huge task of adapting at speed to the evolving situation.
Thanks to a huge team effort, our end of year results were much better than we had at first feared. We were grateful to end the year having been able to deliver on each of the three areas we prioritised as essential at the beginning of the pandemic: to continue our funding of the much loved play specialist service, provide support wherever needed to families and staff during the pandemic and fund essential equipment for the paediatric critical care unit.
The Noah’s Ark community pulled together to offer their support in a whole host of ways. Donations of stock for emergency parent packs and essential patient packs helped lighten the load of many families admitted in an emergency at the height of lockdown. Our call to supporters to help patients keep in touch with loved ones at home during lockdown was met with great enthusiasm. Thanks to donations and gifts in kind, we were able to supply wards throughout the hospital with tablet devices to keep children in isolation entertained and in touch with the people they love.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to those who helped supplement our parent food banks which were set up while food outlets were closed. Hot meals for isolated parents became a source of both sustenance and support in bleak times. Kind supporters helped us to supply fruit boxes and even afternoon tea treats to the hospital staff working long and stressful hours.
On behalf of the Trustees, I’d like once again to extend the most sincere of thank yous to all that helped us through 2020. You have made it possible for the charity to continue in its mission to support the incredible care delivered by frontline staff at the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales. After a year that none of us will forget, I’m confident that the Noah’s Ark family is stronger and ready to face the new challenges of 2021.
