Leeds Hospitals Charity pays tribute to 'everlasting impact' of NHS fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore

The charity - which works for the benefit of both staff and patients at the city's hospitals - was among those to receive a share of the £32.7m that the war veteran raised for NHS Charities Together last year.

He had set out with the goal of raising £1,000 by walking 100 laps of his garden in Bedfordshire before his 100th birthday last April, but went on to raise more than he could ever have imagined and inspired countless others to undertake their own charitable efforts.

Leeds Hospitals Charity chief executive Esther Wakeman said: "We are heartbroken by the passing of Captain Sir Tom Moore. As well as becoming a fundraising inspiration to millions of people across the United Kingdom, he also united the nation and gave them hope when it was needed most.

"Through his amazing fundraising efforts for NHS Charities Together, our charity has received over £600,000 in additional support. This has helped to fund a number of projects at the hospitals including clinical psychology support for staff, hardship funds for patients, staff and volunteers as well as funding bedside TV and radio for patients who were not able to receive visitors.

"Without a doubt, Sir Captain Tom’s fundraising efforts have made an everlasting impact on so many people across Leeds Teaching Hospitals. We’re honoured that we can continue to pay tribute to him through the bronze sculpture of him we recently unveiled at St James’s Hospital. What a fantastic last year he had, achieving more than many people achieve in a whole lifetime.

"From everyone at Leeds Hospitals Charity, we send our deepest condolences and sympathies to Captain Sir Tom’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time."

As the dedicated charity of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds Hospitals Charity provides an average of £5m each year towards equipment, services, education and research.

With more regular donors, it would be able to do even more to back projects that the NHS does not fund but which have the potential to do so much good for hospital staff and patients.

It is why the Yorkshire Evening Post is asking readers to support the Help Your Hospitals campaign by becoming a friend of the charity and helping to raise an additional £3m during 2021.

Text FRIEND to 70660 to donate £5 a month or visit leedshospitalscharity.org.uk to set up a regular donation for any sum or make a one-off gift to the charity.

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What is Leeds Hospitals Charity?

Leeds Hospitals Charity - previously known as Leeds Cares - is the dedicated charity for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

The charity works closely with the team of more than 18,000 people who work at our local hospitals to support projects that the NHS does not fund, helping to relieve pressure on staff and make a real difference to the experience of patients and their families.

With the support of generous donors, it makes that valuable contribution by raising funds for equipment, services, education and research.

The charity provides support for eight areas which include Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds Children’s Hospital, Leeds Cancer Centre, St James’s University Hospital, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Seacroft Hospital, Wharfdale Hospital and Leeds Dental Institute.

It supports NHS staff working at each of those locations to deliver the best care for more than a million patients and their families each year.

Working with local communities, schools and businesses across the city and beyond, it provides an average of £5m in additional funding for the trust each year.