Four of our young patients, Tourae, Emilia, Nancy and Josh, had the honour of lighting up the London Eye in the colours of Evelina London at a very special event. The famous London landmark glowed green, yellow, orange, pink and blue in honour of our 150th birthday.
Lighting up the London Eye
Four of our young patients took on the task of lighting up the London Eye in the colours of Evelina London, to celebrate the hospital’s 150th birthday. They've all had life-changing treatment at the hospital.
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An evening to remember
All four children gathered round the button together for the big switch-on. After a countdown from friends, family and Evelina London staff, the button was pushed, lighting up the London Eye in the colours of our logo, shining down and reflecting beautifully off the River Thames.
Everyone was then treated to festive songs performed by the Evelina Voices, a choir made up of Evelina London and Guy’s and St Thomas’ staff, before a ride on the Eye.
‘It’s a real treat to see such a recognisable London landmark illuminated in the colours of our logo, especially because you can see the London Eye from our hospital,’ says Janet Powell, director of nursing.
‘It’s a message that we will continue to provide the best care possible for the next 150 years and beyond.’
The special task
Tourae, Emilia, Nancy and Josh have all had life-changing treatment at Evelina London, and having them take on the momentous task of hitting the switch was the perfect way to celebrate.
'We’d do anything to say thank you to the hospital,’ says Carroll, mum to five-year-old Tourae.
‘When he got sick so suddenly, it made me realise that it could happen to anyone. A friend, a family member, your next-door neighbour, anyone could become ill at any time and might need incredible care like we received from all of the staff at Evelina London.’
Tourae has had his life saved twice by staff at the hospital; once when he was a baby after being born very prematurely and again earlier this year when he suffered severe breathing difficulties due to contracting influenza A and swine flu. Tourae made a full recovery thanks to the care of staff, so Carroll organised a superhero day at his school to raise money to say thank you.
Like Tourae, six-year-old Emilia has also spent much of her young life at Evelina London. A rare condition meant that she had to have both kidneys removed, and her dad, Tim, later donated his kidney so Emilia could have a life-saving transplant.
Emilia and her family took part in the Donor Run at the British Transplant Games to raise money for the hospital. Tim also cycled all the way to the games in Newport, South Wales from Surrey, where they live.
‘We appreciate the staff at Evelina London so so much,’ he says.
‘We went in blind to what was happening - all we knew was that someone so precious to us was very sick, and all of the staff helped to educate us while continually showing a level of care and empathy that we will never forget.’
Four-year-old Nancy has also had multiple lifesaving operations at the hospital, as she was born with an incredibly rare heart defect which additionally affected other organs in her body. Now thanks to the amazing care of hospital staff, Nancy is able to run and play like any healthy child.
‘It’s been a difficult journey but seeing Nancy now, you wouldn’t know she’d been through so much,’ says Nancy’s mum, Kayleigh.
‘We owe so much to the staff at Evelina London and really can’t thank them enough.'
‘Christmas is a really special time for our family, and it feels extra fitting to come back to Evelina London after Nancy has made such an amazing recovery. We’re all really excited to see her light up the London Eye.’
Their excitement was shared by eight-year-old Josh and his family, who were also at the event. Josh had two operations at the hospital to repair his elbow after breaking it in four places.
While he was there, Josh saw posters about Evelina London’s 150th anniversary and asked his mum, Samantha, if he could raise money.
‘We’re extremely proud of Josh for wanting to raise money for Evelina London,' says Samantha.
‘We decided that as a family we would do 10 walks of 15,000 steps each to make 150,000 steps for Evelina London's 150 years and raised £800.'
‘The care Josh received was incredible and the hospital facilities are so fantastic. It felt like every effort is made to make the place feel friendly and less daunting for kids. It was great to give something back to the hospital and we’re all so excited about seeing Josh light up the London Eye.’
Please note, unfortunately, we are unable to take any telephone calls or process any donations by telephone for the immediate and foreseeable future. You can still donate by credit/debit card and/or make a regular gift by Direct Debit. You can also send a cheque too. Thank you very much for your support. We hugely appreciate it.
Go Online through our donation page, make a one-off payment or set up a monthly direct debit.
For a Bank Transfer, please contact our Supporter Care team via email info@supportevelina.org.uk
and we can provide the relevant details.
If you would like to send a donation by cheque, please make this payable to Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital Charity, with 'Evelina London' written on the reverse.
If you can include a covering letter with your contact details as well as reasons for donations and what you would like it to be put towards, we will write to you and let you know when the donation has been received.
Please send the cheque to this address:
Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Fundraising Team Fundraising Team Virginia Woolf Building 22 Kingsway, 2nd Floor London
Can you claim Gift Aid on my donation?
Your donations are only eligible for Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer and we have a record of your postcode and donation amount. You must also tick the Gift Aid box on our sponsorship forms (Virgin Money Giving / Just Giving) or donation page.
Please note that we are unable to claim Gift Aid on ticket sales, raffle sales, corporate sponsorship, and sale of goods or auction proceeds.
Can I donate to a specific ward/department within the hospital?
If you would like to help a specific ward or department, we will do our best to find the most appropriate fund for your donation to go towards.
Please note that once a donation has been allocated to a specific fund, we are unable to change this at a later date.
Please also provide some basic information about the item, including how old the item is and we will then be able to confirm if the hospital is able to accept the item.
Please note that we are unable to accept soft toys and toys that cannot be easily cleaned.
If you would like to discuss this more to find out how we can help, please call our Supporter Care team via info@supportevelina.org.uk.
What is your charity number?
Evelina London is part of Guy’s and St Thomas Hospital so does not have a separate registered charity number.
The charity number for Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity is 1160316.
What happens to my personal details?
All the personal information about our supporters we collect is processed and stored in accordance with GDPR 2018, and all other applicable data protection laws and regulations. This includes, but is not limited to, the Privacy and Electronic Communication Regulations (PECR).
If you need a new tin, collection bucket or security seal sticker, then please let us know by contacting us via email at info@supportevelina.org.uk and we can send a replacement out to you. Please note, we currently have limited stock on some items, and there may be some delays with deliveries.
Do you accept donations of clothing?
Clean, plain clothing for adults and children are accepted, items such as jogging bottoms and sweatshirts are ideal. Used underwear is not accepted.
Thank you to everyone who has offered knitted bonding squares for our Neonatal Unit. We’ll let you know if we need more in future but for now, we have plenty. We’ve had so many offers our cupboards are overflowing!
How can I volunteer?
Fundraising volunteers are vital to our work at Guy's and St Thomas’ Hospital Charity. You can volunteer with us on events, awareness days, in general or even work with the Fundraising Team.
All our opportunities support our fundraising work and activities, we do not organise volunteering within the hospital. If this is what you are interested in please visit the Guy’s and St Thomas' volunteering page.
Policy for returning donations
We work hard to ensure you have the best supporter journey when you make a donation. Unfortunately, under charity law (The Charities Act 2011) we are unable to refund donations, other than in specific circumstances.
If you believe that a donation you have made should be refunded then please contact via email at info@supportevelina.org.uk and we can advise on what we can do.
If you are a company or individual who would like to make a product donation, please email our fundraising team at info@supportevelina.org.uk detailing the type of donation, quantity and estimated delivery date and we will get back to you as soon as possible to confirm if we are able to accept the donation.
All items must be new and in their packaging and please note that we are unfortunately unable to accept any hot food and drink or any perishable food items.
Well done Tony, you are a truely amazing little soul!
Tony! What an inspiration you are, so young, so brave and doing incredible things. Keep going and well done for absolutely smashing your target; it is going to an amazing cause and we love watching your journey. You can do it! X x
Dear Tony, what a beautiful, special, precious little boy you are. You are very brave and strong. You are an inspiration to us all. I hope your legs feel good and help you take on your challenge. You can do it!!👍🥰 I've donated because you made me so proud. Lots of love always Jude xxx
You are such an amazing superhero! Keep up the wonderful things you are doing!😀👍🚑🏃
Well done Tony on your 10km walk. We followed your progress. You are a brave little boy. We wish you well! Love xx
You are amazing and an inspiration to everyone - there's nothing you can't do or achieve in this life! Thank you so much
Caroline and Sarah, at The Cardiology Kids launch party in the park
George with his family
Thank you for everything you are doing. So proud of our NHS - heroes don’t all wear capes! Thank you for everything you do for us all and keep as safe as you can all of you. xx
You are all heroes and should be proud of yourselves as we are of you. No words of thanks can ever express the debt of gratitude.
You have looked after my daughter with such care, too which I am eternally grateful. Thank you.
I had my cancer treatment there, undoubtedly saved my life. Thank you.
I was born at Guy's hospital in 1974, and was treated in St Thomas' in 2003, where I was seriously ill for 13 weeks. Thank you for not only giving me life, but saving it too! X
Guy's and St Thomas' have looked after me so well over many years. Thank you for all those years and for everything you are doing in an unimaginably difficult time. Thinking of you and your families at this time. x
You saved my life when I had cancer. Thank you for then and thank you for now. x
The NHS saved my wife’s life 3 times. We love the nurses, doctors, specialists, secretaries - everyone. You are heroes. Sending hope and love.
You are all amazing and will be remembered in history. Stay strong.
Thank you isn’t enough, so a thousand times more.
You are all amazing and do an incredible job. Filled with gratitude and heartfelt thanks.
You are all phenomenal. Thank you so much.
Wishing you well during this crisis. You are all heroes and deserve the support of the whole nation.
From one nurse to all the others all over the world fighting Covid-19 and all the health professionals, I know this word and term is overused but this time it is a real meaning in the truest form of the word: You are all LEGENDS!
How can we ever repay you for what you are doing for us? Thinking of you all. The NHS means everything. Make sure you're looking after your own wellbeing as much as possible. Take care x
You are all genuine heroes. Each and every one of you!
You are all wonderful, heroic people. You save lives every day and you really, really make a difference. We salute you and send big hugs to keep you going. xx