The Aston Villa Foundation have donated 15 tablets to two local hospitals in Birmingham thanks to a donation from a senior staff member at Bodymoor Heath.
City Hospital and Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital will utilise the tablets to give patients the opportunity to talk to loved ones through video calls at a time when there are severe restrictions on visitors to hospital wards.
Many patients at Birmingham Hospitals find themselves disconnected from loved ones by not being able to have visitors or being unable to see more than one visitor at a time.
As part of the club’s ‘Supporting Our Own’ scheme, some of the welcome private donation from an anonymous staff member will help connect patients with the outside world.
Louise McCathie, Director of Fundraising for official club charity partner Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “We are so thankful for this generous gift from the Aston Villa Foundation.
“Many of the patients and families staying with us don’t have access to this type of technology, so these tablets will be vital in helping them to stay connected with their wider family while restrictions are still in place due to COVID-19.
“They will also be a useful tool in enabling our colleagues to keep in touch and continue their care to those patients shielding at home.”
City Hospital Fundraising Manager Amanda Winwood added: “We are very grateful for the donation of tablets which will be used in our brand new Children’s Emergency Care Unit (CECU).
“Having the use of the tablets will enhance the time the children spend in the unit as they will be able to have fun and play educational games to help pass the time whilst being assessed and treated.
“The other half we will be placing amongst our elderly care wards for patients to keep in contact with family and also to access therapy apps to support their rehabilitation."
Villa Foundation Fundraising and Events Officer Paisley Hipkiss said: “This gesture has been made possible thanks to a generous private donation from within the club.
“Lots of people are finding themselves isolated during lockdown, and none more so than patients in hospitals.
“It is hard to comprehend how difficult and scary it must be in the hospital environment, both for patients and their families, so if these tablets can help connect patients with the outside world then that can only be a good thing.”
If you would like to support the Foundation with a donation during the Covid-19 response, please contact foundation@avfc.co.uk.
