Another year has passed us by in a flash and in our true style we have been up to all sorts. It has been cathartic to step back and look at all that we have achieved since our last annual report.
Annual Report 2024-2025
A message from our Charity Manager
Jodie Hearnshaw
This report focuses on the year April 2024 – March 2025. What you will see within its pages, as always, is the incredible zeal, determination and strength of our communities. We never take it for granted that people choose to raise funds, express their thanks and support our Charity so that we can continue to care for Airedale NHS Foundation Trust.
Take for example, Michael who works as a Sterile Services Assistant at Airedale Hospital. Michael’s mum Janet was a patient at Airedale, regularly visiting and receiving treatment for breast cancer. The family were keen to thank staff for the incredible treatment and experience Janet had received so they put their fundraising hats on and got to work. Janet herself has held bake sales, encouraged friends and family to purchase items from our Amazon wish lists and Michael even braved the shave, shaving his hair to raise over £2000. This is a wonderful example of how our communities support us every day, even in the darkest times, and we are so grateful.
It’s important to take a moment to celebrate the ways we have been able to use your donations this year. You will see lots of examples of how your funds have helped across the entire organisation scattered throughout this report.
During the year we had hundreds of applications requesting the help and support of our charity to fund equipment, events, projects and much more. We were delighted to support the purchase of two Medela Symphony Breast Pumps for our Neo-natal Unit at a cost of over £5,000.00. Providing these hospital grade pumps means that Mum’s don’t have to wait to be able to express for their poorly or preterm baby and they can have a more comfortable experience.
One mum said, ‘The relief these pumps brought, literal life saver! And providing those babies with all the goodness’. Another comments, ‘This is brilliant. They are so useful when caring for your baby on the Neo-natal Unit’. I am sure you will agree, this is an amazing outcome for our new parents and their babies.
It’s not always highly priced items that bring the biggest benefits for our patients and staff. One way we supported our cancer patients this year was to provide copies of Dr Liz O’Riordan’s book ‘The Cancer Roadmap’. The books are available for patients to borrow or read while they are visiting.
And how can we forget the success of the sensory trolley’s we have funded over the last few years? So incredible has been the response, we have dedicated even more funding to purchase extra trolleys for our Emergency Department and Acute Assessment Unit in the coming year.
I hope that I have been able to give you just a small taste of what you will find throughout the report. It is impossible for us to mention every single person that has created the story of our year, there are just too many of you. If you would like to keep up to date with the stories and news from Airedale Hospital & Community Charity you can always follow our progress on social media or the blog on our website, www.airedalecharity.org.
All that’s left for me to say is thank you. For showing your love for Airedale and allowing us to continue to represent you when you entrust us with your support and kindness.
Jodie
Year overview
£
273,000
Income
£
109,000
Donations
£
30,000
Legacies
£
0
Grants
£
0
Gifts in kind
£
95,000
Other
£
39,000
Dividends
£
63,000
Spend
£
29,000
Patient welfare
£
15,000
Staff welfare
£
6,000
Staff training
£
3,000
Medical & IT equipment
£
10,000
Ward environment
£
0
Gifts in Kind (distributed)
Funds not spent in year are retained for future use.
What a wonderful year
Fabulous Fundraisers
Oliver
Oliver, a dad from Silsden raised an incredible £2735 for the Neo-natal Unit by running the Yorkshire
Marathon in October. Oliver’s son, Oliver Junior stayed on the unit when he was three weeks old in 2023.
Oliver wore a 9kg weighted vest during the marathon to represent the average weight of a 1-year-old male.
“As a parent, it’s a scary feeling coming onto a ward with alarms going off as in the beginning you have no clue what they mean. There’s a lot of worry and panic in that initial period but we feel so lucky to have had the support of the staff on the unit, they were so great at keeping us as calm as possible and took the time to explain what was happening. Oliver Jr was on Airedale’s Neonatal Unit for 7 and a half
weeks, we came home on 30 November 2023, 10 days before his due date. Getting ready to bring Oliver Jr home brought on a lot of mixed emotions, it felt so daunting after he had been in hospital for so long.”
Holly & Jodie
Team HOJO, better known as Holly and Jodie completed the National Three Peaks challenge to raise funds for our Haematology and Oncology Day Unit (HODU) fund.
The National Three Peaks is a timed challenge with participants taking on Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Snowdon in Wales in under 24 hours.
Holly and Jodie not only completed the 23 mile challenge with an outstanding time of 23 hours and 21 minutes, but they raised a phenomenal £3,400 in the process.
“We chose HODU as our charity for our National 3 Peak challenge as a close friend of ours has recently begun treatment on the unit. As we started fundraising and sharing information about the charity and the challenge we were taking on, we quickly realised how much it resonated with others—many people we knew had also received care there. This made the cause even more personal and inspired us not only to complete the challenge, but also to raise a significant amount of money to show our appreciation for the exceptional care and support the ward has provided to so many. We’d like to express a special thanks to Timothy Taylors Brewery and Cross Roads Fisheries for their support in
our fundraising, we couldn’t have raised such an amazing amount without them!”
Keighley JOIN Project
Attendees of the Keighley based JOIN project took on a sponsored walk, hosted a raffle and baked delicious treats in a bid to raise funds for the Acute Assessment Unit (AAU).
The JOIN project is an independent charity with an aim of empowering adults with learning disabilities to feel valued whilst taking part in activities within their local community. The sponsored walk began at the canal on Barr Lane through to Five rise locks in Bingley.
“We love to take on challenges for good causes so when this came to our attention, we started thinking about the different fundraising activities we could do. It was very easy to incorporate the fundraising into the various activities we do across the week, like our cookery groups on a Monday, Wellbeing
Wednesdays and out and about Fridays.” - Lindsie Edgar, Support Worker.
Our Events
We had a tee-rific time at our golf day!
We held our first Charity Golf Day at Branshaw Golf Club in Oakworth. Sponsored by Davric Construction Services and Service Electrical (Bradford) a fantastic £3,738 was raised at the event.
“I’m really pleased with how the charity’s first fundraising golf day went. It makes me very proud to have sponsored the event alongside Service Electrical. We couldn’t have asked for a better turnout. Thank you to everyone who attended, together we raised a brilliant amount of money for a local cause that we all have come into contact with at some point in our lives.” - David Hamer, Director of Davric Construction Projects
Congratulations to the winning team, ‘Team Oldfields’ from Oldfield Electrical, we look forward to watching them try hold onto that trophy in 2025!
Grand Ball
Our Grand Ball was held on 8 November 2025 at East Riddlesden Hall, Keighley to raise funds for Airedale General Hospital’s Neonatal Unit.
The idea for the ball came after a need was seen by nursing staff on the unit. Parents will often have a transition stay towards the end of their time on the unit where both child and parent will stay overnight in the ‘family bedroom’. This transition aims to provide a sense of normality and home life especially
after a longer stay on the Unit.
“We saw a real need with the family facilities on the unit. At the moment, it still feels like a hospital room rather than providing a sense of home to the families before they fully transition off the unit and go home. For a lot of our families it may be their first time ever experiencing being on this kind of unit or even in hospital for an extended period. We want to ensure that their journey towards home is as
comfortable as possible and thanks to the incredible amount raised, we’re closer than ever
to this being a reality.” - Sarah Szpara, Neonatal Unit Manager
The Grand Ball saw support from local businesses including Robertson Construction Yorkshire & East Midlands, Hive Projects, Shelby, Pro Fire Systems, Gallaghers Funeral Directors, Fizz and Fire, Bob Smith photography, fourpiece band Whiskey Wood and The VW Wedding Co.
“I’d like to express my sincere thanks to our sponsors, suppliers and attendees for making this incredible event happen. Because of you, we’ve been able to raise such a fantastic amount for the Neonatal Unit. We’re really pleased that the team will be able to start thinking about bringing a sense of home to the family room. It’s such a vital part of their journey on the unit where they can prepare for
home life.” - Jodie Hearnshaw, Charity Manager
The Grand Ball raised an incredible £10,206.00 and we would like to extend huge thanks to
everyone that was involved in making the event a success.
How we showed our love for Airedale
Sensory gear giving healthcare a boost
Funding was provided to our Emergency Department to purchase a movable relaxation sensory trolley for use with patients.
The trolley is like others funded by the Airedale Hospital & Community Charity that are used across the organisation. Kitted out with a bubble tube, fibre optic strands and a projector, the trolley makes it easy to turn even a small space into a multi-sensory environment.
The trolley has had a huge impact on patient experience within the Emergency Department. One mother shared her family’s experience –
“Unfortunately, last year my 33-year-old son whose diagnosis is autism with special needs visited the Emergency Department after fainting, falling from his chair and causing some damage to his face. He was bleeding, shaken up and generally very distressed.
Due to his learning difficulties, he was unable to understand what was going on. His ear required cleaning before gluing. Being very distressed and in pain, along with generally not being well, his compliance and engagement was almost non-existent.
The nurse on duty brought the sensory trolley out bringing a much-needed distraction from the busy corridor and allowing him to deescalate and become calmer. It’s such a breath of fresh air from my point of view to see people recognising that adults with special needs can also benefit from sensory items and it’s not just for children. I’d like to say a massive thanks to all concerned, such a valuable, yet simple item that helped my son during a traumatic incident.”
Sophie and Zoe, Staff Nurses in the Emergency Department shared their thoughts –
“Personally, for us, as nurses who often work in Resuscitation the trolley provides invaluable distraction for all types of patient groups.
The trolleys have allowed us to alleviate that real fear of hospitals in children, adults/teenagers with Learning Disabilities, patients in a mental health crisis and adults living with dementia.
This patient really touched us with the positive response that he had, especially with the trolley being so new at the time. I really hope that the experiences that he had within the department using the trolley “made up” for some of the negative hospital experiences he’d had previously.
Ultimately, the trolleys allow us to do our jobs effectively and efficiently whilst reducing stress levels from patients, carers and staff. They’re a great distraction whilst we’re doing investigations or giving treatment; taking bloods, inserting cannulas, using nebulisers, taking X-Rays and in resus. The list could go on.
They’re also just helpful to calm the whole situation. If we’re caring for a distressed child/adult we’re unlikely to get true and accurate readings for their observations. Being able to calm the patient first has probably avoided unnecessary hospital admissions and/or prolonged Emergency Department stays. I’m also certain that they will have impacted on the number of failed cannulas and bloods we’ve done in children.
They’re probably one of the most used bits of equipment that we have in the department.”
Fuelled by kindness: a peek into our colleague wellbeing world
Ramadan Ally Project
We were committed to supporting colleagues during the holy month of Ramadan. Working closely with the Trust’s Chaplaincy team gave us an incredible understanding of
how we could best support out colleagues which led to the development of the Ramadan Ally scheme.
As well as getting out and about with the Chaplaincy team armed with the ‘Proud to be a Ramadan Ally’ photo prop to promote inclusion we were delighted to be able provide
dates and bottled water for colleagues to break their fast whilst on shift.
Wellbeing Grants
Our AOK Wellbeing Grants were back with a bang in 2024. Each year we encourage colleagues from across Airedale to apply for funding to purchase items that would support staff wellbeing.
Over 63 applications were submitted to our Kindness Krew panel for consideration. The panel look at the impact supporting the application will have on our colleagues. Over
£11,000 in grant funding was approved across the organisation in 2024.
Dr James Chan, Consultant in Emergency Medicine submitted an application for a sleeper chair for him and his colleagues to catch 40 winks when they are working a nightshift. Here’s what James thinks of our grants and the difference they have
made to his team –
“The chair bed has been really well received and has inspired our team to make more of
an effort to create a comfortable rest area for colleagues.”
Staying charged, staying connected - on us!
In 2021 we purchased two ChargeBox stations with the help of grant funding.
Located in our Emergency Department and Main Reception area they have since delivered 740,000 minutes of free charging to our patients, visitors and staff devices.
Showing our communities the way
We were proud to help our Critical Care colleagues develop their ‘Critical Care Journey’ project. One of the items we funded was an information board that details the journey Critical Care patients take during their stay and what their families can expect.
The board is proudly displayed in a large form on one of the walls in the unit so it can always be referred to easily.
Helpful information on the board includes explanations of the equipment you might see and what they are for, support for friends and family, how the team get to know their patient and how they will communicate.
Other developments in the project include the ‘get to know me’ boards that each patient has on their bedside and patient diaries that medical staff complete to help fill in the gaps.
Dementia equipment
The team on ward 4 raised funds through a bake sale to help fund the purchase of some dementia equipment for their patients.
The extra resources are helpful to –
· Improve communication;
· Offer fun activities and exercises;
· Provide distraction therapy.
Colleagues have launched a project ‘Keep active, stay strong’ where patients are invited to engage in activities involving music and games with other patients before lunch time. This project is helping to prevent deconditioning, manage dementia care and improve appetite too.
AOK wellbeing grants
Funding was given to purchase a new twin cot for the neo-natal at Airedale Hospital. The new cot allows twins to sleep safely side-by-side.
Keeping twins close can help strengthen their bond, support their development and offer comfort to the babies and their loved ones. Having a twin cot gives the team flexibility to care for their smallest patients in a way that is safe, practical and centred around the
babies themselves.
Chloe Taylor, Neonatal Sister said –
‘It has been amazing to use, the staff and families love it, and the families have really appreciated how nice it has been for the babies to remain together in the cot. It is nice for them not to be separated after they have been in touching distance of each other for up to 9 months!’
Festive lunches
In just five days an impressive 2584 picnic lunches were hand delivered to every corner of Airedale NHS Foundation Trust to celebrate the end of the year and the festive season.
Throughout the week we were joined by the Trust Chair, Andrew Gold, colleagues and various friends to distribute the lunches with brass band musicians and school choirs from
across the Airedale area getting everyone into the festive spirit.
Looking forward together
Thanks to you we have been able to show our love for Airedale again this year. With your help our future is exciting.
Some of the key areas of focus for our Charity next year:
Celebrating 30 years of showing our love for Airedale
As we enter the thirtieth year of Airedale Hospital & Community Charity we do so with a commitment to continue to carry out the amazing work that has gone before us.
Celebrations of the milestone will take place through events, community engagement and support of our colleagues.
We will showcase the successes and achievements of the last 30 years and look forward to our future with pride.
Working with you
We make a good team, and we will continue to celebrate our work together. Our Charity will make sure that our local communities have a key role in our success and our future.
We will listen to your views, champion your businesses and put you at the heart of everything that we do.
Investing in Airedale
A key strategic area for us is to continue and increase our investment across the length and breadth of Airedale NHS Foundation Trust.
We will continue to be efficient, responsive, financially sound, sustainable and well-governed, ensuring that we use our donors’ funds wisely and according to their wishes.
We will actively seek out opportunities to show our support with a comprehensive plan of spend inline with our strategic and charitable objectives.
Airedale AOK
You will always see us championing our Airedale Acts of Kindness principles. Through listening, showing an interest, being patient and encouraging, offering support and offering simple acts of kindness we will continue to make a space in our organisation for kindness.
Anchor in the community
We respect our position alongside Airedale NHS Foundation Trust as an anchor in our local communities across West & North Yorkshire and East Lancashire and now more than ever before we will do our best to celebrate the wonderful community we serve.
We will continue to fly the Airedale flag proudly for all to see.
Thank you!
A full digital version of our annual report can be requested via email or viewed on the Charity Commission website.
