CEO at re-branded charity sets out vision to raise £10m a year

The charitable foundation which supports Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has unveiled a major re-brand as it sets out ambitions to raise £10m annually.

Speaking to TheBusinessDesk.com, chief executive of the Leeds Hospital Charitable Foundation, David Welch, said the new name for the charity would be Leeds Cares. A launch event was held last night to mark the future of the charity, also coinciding with the Leeds General Infirmary’s 150th anniversary.

Welch, who joined the charitable foundation in September 2017, said it was essential to further boost its success to enable Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to propel further from excellent to exceptional.

On average, the charity has raised between £5m and £6m annually, which supports specialisms across the hospital trust and focuses on specific appeals including the Yorkshire Cancer Centre Appeal.

Welch has a vision to reach the £10m annual target now Leeds Cares has launched, with specific targets for upcoming appeals. Leeds Cares will also be the overarching name where more than 10 centres of clinical excellence will be supported, so that donors and fundraisers can specifically give to certain specialisms of the hospital’s remit; including cardiology or the children’s hospital.

“Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is one of the most successful and biggest trusts in the country. More than 18,000 staff members are employed by the trust and more than 1.5m patients and their families are seen every year. As well as being the hospital trust, many services impact positively across the Yorkshire region, the north and also lead the way nationally with specialisms in clinical care such as the double hand transplant,” said Welch.

In April 2017, the foundation became an independent charity from the NHS trust. “That is the model that most hospital trusts are following,” added Welch.

“As the charity moves to scale-up we will be focusing on progressive philanthropy. That is what has driven innovation and change in the healthcare system here in Leeds.

“Many people are aware that while the NHS is extremely successful, it is an organisation under pressure. It is under pressure because of its success – people are living longer and accessing more treatments and all of that costs money.

“We as a society have to take a look at all of these factors because we want to deliver the absolute best,” he said.

Welch said the re-brand would allow the charity to raise its profile even further and maximise donations. He said other fantastic examples of where this worked well across the UK included Great Ormond Street Hospital and Christie’s in Manchester.

“The money raised for Leeds Cares will make a difference to people across Yorkshire and beyond. We see ourselves forming partnerships with the business community and people from all walks of like. Leeds is an ambitious city, there are hugely successful businesses in the city – attracting investment and retaining talent.

“The future of health and well-being in the city is a further investment, we need to continue to always attract the leading clinicians and staff to Leeds, for example. It is a whole cycle of vision driving change and through collaboration and partnership we want to harness that support very much. It is not just about money, it’s also about giving time and energy to progress and really make a difference.”

Welch added that the charity had always had a strong governance in place, led by chairman Edward Ziff of Town Centre Securities. In the future, the charity will be looking to approach potential ambassadors from across the range of sectors in the region.

Around 30 people have been involved in the re-launch of the charity, which also has the support of around 100 volunteers. “It has been incredible to be involved with this in the last six months and there is a real buzz about the re-launch. It is massively exciting but has been a team effort in bringing people together to build a platform and take things to a whole new level,” concluded Welch.

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