The Charitable Trust and The Trustees
The West Midlands Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre Appeal fund was set up in 1998 to raise £2.25 million for our hospital trust, the sum required for us to be included in their ward block development scheme. If we could do this, our chief executive at the time Mr Robert Naylor, undertook also to build an acute respiratory unit alongside.
By 2002, we were able to open a brand new unit, catering for all the needs of our patients under one roof. This was made possible by the huge efforts of many patients, relatives, friends and professional colleagues, including Pat McKeown our fund raiser who we have to thank for organising this feat, as well as helping us to equip and furnish the building. Funds came from many individuals, local and national businesses, charitable trusts, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and some from the hospital trust itself.
It is through the efforts of many people that we have our centre today. At opening by the Duke of Kent in 2002 we still had useful sums of money remaining in the bank and through the funds we have been able to cater for some of the additional needs of our patients and staff.
Our charitable trust is registered with the Charity Commissioners. They wish us to use the funds for the benefit of our patients and professionals prudently and transparently, according to our constitution. They require the trustees of the fund to oversee, manage and use these monies. We submit an annual report with audited accounts at the end of each financial year and these are available, on application in writing to the treasurer.
The individuals who freely and willingly give their time and commitment meet 4 times per year to discuss applications for help, manage our commitments and consider how best to use funds for the benefit of the centre.
The trustees currently are:-
Mrs Jane Bull Patient representative
Mr Steve Williams Patient representative
Mr Anthony Walker Treasurer
Dr Joanna Whitehouse Cystic fibrosis physician
Dr David Honeybourne Cystic fibrosis physician and unit director
Mr Roger Blake Directorate manager
Mrs Joanne Osmond Co-opted past CF centre manager
Mrs Elaine Chapman Current CF centre manager/secretary to trustees
Dr David Stableforth Past CF centre director, chairman
There is a continued need for funds as our expenditure has exceeded income since the opening of the centre. If we are to continue working for the centre's needs, providing buffer funds for needs that cannot be met by an ever more pressed National Health Service, then we need to continue to raise funds. To this end the trustees have agreed to set up a fundraising subcommittee. Our continuing annual needs are for a cystic fibrosis research fellow - a young doctor in training, needing to study and research toprogress in his career. Staffing our exercise start up programme and our holistic therapy room are all continuing needs. Beds, laptops, furniture, fans all remain as needs which are so far unfortunately not funded by the NHS. Without further funds our own will be exhausted in due course and this buffer which has been so valuable in providing all of the above in the past, will no longer be available to us.
The members of our fundraising committee are:-
Mrs Tina Kennedy Patient relative
Mrs Jane Bull Patient representative
Mr Steve Williams Patient representative
Dr Joanna Whitehouse CF Physician
Dr David Honeybourne CF Physician
Mrs Linda Smith Patient relative
Mrs Patricia McKeown Fundraising advisor
Mrs Elaine Chapman Secretary
Dr David Stableforth Chairman
We are always in need of ideas and physical help. If you think you can make a contribution please contact Elaine Chapman, CF Centre Manager at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital on 0121 424 2261 or e-mail elaine.chapman@heartofengland.nhs.uk.
We need your help!
David Stableforth
