News

Rangers FC Academy players, Foundation and Club staff and volunteers decorated the Royal Hospital For Children recently for the festive season as part of the Foundation’s partnership with Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.

The youth players, staff and volunteers helped to bring some festive cheer to the wards for patients, families and staff by hanging decorations throughout the hospital.

The Foundation has pledged to raise £10,000 for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity this season to fund Christmas decorations for the wards and support the charity’s Family Bereavement Service for families and NHS staff affected by the devastating loss of a child.

The Family Bereavement Service operates from Crossbasket House, a facility on the hospital campus alongside The Royal Hospital For Children, which provides families with a place to stay while their seriously ill child is in hospital.

Children attend the Royal Hospital For Children from all over Scotland and families can end up very far from home for weeks, months or even years at a time. Sadly, some children do not recover and are never able to return home. In these heart-breaking circumstances, the Bereavement Service at Crossbasket House provides much needed support for grieving families.

The service includes a dedicated space available for Bereavement Practitioners to spend time with families and ensure they have the continuous support they so desperately need.

Last year the Family Bereavement Service supported 237 families with information, guidance and emotional support. The service also delivered bereavement awareness sessions to 137 health professionals and provided 160 NHS professionals with information and guidance.

Kirsten Watson, Chief Executive at Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, commented:

“The Rangers Charity Foundation continues to make a profound difference to the children and families who walk through the doors of our city’s children’s hospital.”

“We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing dedication of the staff, supporters and players, who year after year give so generously.

“This year’s donation is especially poignant and will help those who have lost a child during the most difficult days of their lives.

“The need for structured, compassionate bereavement support when a child dies cannot be understated, and the Foundation has helped to make this possible.”

Foundation Charity Executive, Rachael Cosgrove added:

“The Bereavement Service is absolutely vital to help parents and siblings cope with the shock and pain of losing a child.  The Foundation is delighted to play a part in supporting this service with this season’s donation, and of course also contribute to Christmas decorations for the wards.”