FAQs

Did you know that the NHS was initially funded by a charitable donation?  Although the NHS is now funded mainly by our taxes and national insurance contributions, it doesn’t always go far enough.  An NHS charity provides things that are over and above NHS provision, the added extras that really make a huge difference to patient, care, employee and community experience.

We are unable to accept gifts of:-

• Tobacco and alcohol products.
• Second hand/used toys and games.
• Used toiletries.   

Unfortunately not.  For health and safety reasons no second hand toys can be accepted.  All toys donated must be in their original packaging and have the relevant safety labels in place.  

Our charity team is a small but perfectly formed team.  Unfortunately there is often no capacity to go out to collect donations.  If you are unable to get your donation to us please do call the charity office to discuss further or consider postal options.

Airedale Hospital & Community Charity monitors income and may refuse income if it has been offered:

• for a purpose that is not consistent with the Charity’s objectives; or
• from a source or on terms that are not acceptable to ANHSFT or its ethical policy; or
• for a purpose that ANHSFT is unable to fulfill.

It is the policy of the Trustee not to invest in or accept money from alcohol or tobacco companies. 

Donating through Gift Aid means Airedale Hospital & Community Charity can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you give. It will not cost you any extra.

You need to make a Gift Aid declaration for the AHCC to claim. You can do this by filling in a form – please contact the charity via email anhsft.charity@nhs.net or phone 01535 294870 to obtain a copy.

Firstly, thank you for choosing Airedale for your donation; it means a lot to our patients, staff and community.  We are extremely grateful.  If you are visiting our hospital to make your donation in person, please help us by being aware of the following:

• Please contact the charity team on 01535 294870 or by emailing anhsft.charity@nhs.net to let us know you are planning to visit.
• Where possible, please let us know well in advance so that we can plan in your visit around the needs of the patients, and around staff workloads.  This is especially important at Christmas, as it is a particularly busy time for donations and visits. 
• It is helpful for us if you visit Monday to Friday so we know that we can be here to meet you and say hello.  Patient mealtimes are generally between 11 am and 1 pm, and 5 pm to 7 pm so these times should be avoided.
• It is important that we maintain good infection control standards which means you will be asked to use the alcohol gel, wear a mask and maintain social distancing when visiting.  There may be areas within the hospital where you will not be able to visit because of infection – the charity team will advise you on the day about this.
• Please do not visit the hospital if you are unwell.  If you have had any sort of sickness bug, please make sure you are at least 48 hours clear of symptoms.
• We are happy to take photographs to share providing we have consent from yourself and any patients and staff that are involved. 
• We can help with publicity by sharing photos on our social media and sending out a press release to the local media.  

We get a lot of donations for our children’s ward and departments, which are always very welcome.  However, would you consider donating to our elderly care wards?  Older people can have long stays in hospital and some may have few or no visitors if they have no family living locally.  Suggested gifts include: toiletries, jigsaws, colouring books (and pencils/crayons), books, magazines and board games.