Friends of Moorfields Eye Hospital
“I want to give something back to Moorfields for saving my sight I am eternally grateful to them and my way of thanking them for their dedicated care is to work for the Friends who are doing a great job for the hospital -the recent refurbishment which is bright and cheerful being one of them.”- Marilyn Heathfield, Shop and Trolley Volunteer
The Friends volunteers provide many different services within the hospital. They operate an information desk within the hospital to assist visitors to the hospital. They also assist the clinic staff in the hospital by serving as guides and helpers to the patients. In addition to maintaining the network of volunteers at Moorfields, the Friends also continue with their original purpose of fundraising for the hospital. Chiefly, they operate a permanent shop inside the Hospital which sales clothes and other items. The Friends also organize three fundraising events each month. These events include donated art sales, book sales and even a mini farmer’s market.
In 1963, the founders of the Friends of Moorfields recognized that the hospital was in need of support. They came together and decided that they would host fundraisers to provide the hospital with new equipment. Over the years the group of dedicated volunteers has expanded their role in supporting the hospital. As the hospital has grown, the Friends have grown as well. Now they organize a large network of 200 volunteers that are as dedicated as the founders. They support the hospital in multiple ways, from fundraising to operating a help desk.
The Friends of Moorfields love the interaction with the different people that come through the hospital and see it as their purpose to make their visit as pleasant as possible. They strive to achieve this through both volunteering and fundraising.
The Friends have been a long time member group of Attend and have greatly profited from the benefits provided. They especially appreciate the volunteer support that Attend offers. The Friends of Moorfields Eye Hospital intend to expand and refine their volunteer program in the future while continuing to raise as much money as possible for the hospital.
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“Many years ago, after my son was first treated at Moorfields, I vowed that at as soon as I could I would give something back to this fantastic hospital. Now - over thirty years later, Danny is still a patient, as is his wife and little son, so I have even more reason to 'give back' and I work voluntarily at the Friends of Moorfields shop each week. I love it. I get a really warm feeling being part of such an amazing organisation, and helping to raise much needed funds and I have been made so very welcome by everyone involved. The patients and staff are all very friendly and I look forward to seeing everyone each Tuesday. The shop is very busy and we have a wide range of things to sell. No two days are ever the same and we have a lot of laughs while we are working. I am so grateful to be able to repay such an amazing hospital in my small way and I hope to continue for many years to come.”- Eve Mcclean, Shop Volunteer
Created July 19, 2012
