Receiving donations
We appreciate that some patients and their families wish to give back following an experience under our care. This can be done through Bright Northumbria Healthcare Charity.
Bright Northumbria Healthcare Charity is registered with the Charity Commission, charity number 1083122. Donating through Bright Charity helps to ensure the funds are allocated correctly and all our legal obligations are followed. If you need any support with receiving donations, please get in touch.
Donations can be allocated to a specific ward or department.
If you do not know your specific fund, please get in touch and we can assist you.
A link to Business Standards policy can be found here. Guidelines around accepting gifts can be found in section 6.6.1.
The simplest way to donate is through our website. Visit our Donate section for more information.
Supporters can also post cheques made payable to Bright Northumbria Healthcare Charity.
Please include a covering note with your name, how the money was raised and if you wish to support a specific area.
Please ensure to ask the supporter if they are willing to Gift Aid their donation. This allows the charity to claim back an extra 25% of the donation from the government at no extra cost to the donor.
Any individual who pays income tax or capital gains tax in the UK is eligible. You can find more guidance here.
We cannot claim Gift Aid on certain donations, such as any payment for goods and services (e.g. a bake sale) or donations of money from a company.
You can download a Gift Aid Declaration form here.
If the person wishes to donate to a specific Hospital or Department, they can do this by making a note on the donation reference or include a note when posting a cheque.
If the money was raised through a fundraising event, please include details of what they organised.
If a supporter has a question about fundraising or how they can give back, please put them in touch.
It is important to take particular care when involving children in fundraising, whether as fundraisers, volunteers or donors.
- If organising a fundraising activity that will involve children, ensure it is age appropriate (e.g. do not give a person under 16 responsibility for handling money).
- Seek permission from a parent, guardian or responsible adult before taking or publishing content involving children.
Please consider the safeguarding needs of children, young people and adults who may come in contact with fundraising activities, particularly in the hospital environment.
This includes:
- You must not, at any time, take advantage of the trust, lack of knowledge, apparent need for care and support, or vulnerable circumstances of an existing or potential donor.
- You must give appropriate consideration to the needs of existing or potential donors who may be in vulnerable circumstances or need extra care and support to make an informed decision. This includes:
- Not accepting a donation if you know, or have reason to believe, that a person cannot make an informed decision to donate;
- Returning a donation if you discover that the donor could not make an informed decision at the time of the donation
Trust Safeguarding Policies:
Policies and Procedures :: Northumbria Healthcare Staff Portal – Children & Young People
Policies and Procedures :: Northumbria Healthcare Staff Portal – Adults
There are some important rules to follow if you are including food and beverages as part of your fundraising activity, such as a bake sale or coffee morning.
Our IC14 ward kitchen policy states “Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has a legal responsibility for the safety of food provided to the people in their care and to protect patients and staff from food borne illnesses and the Trust can take no responsibility for food produced off the premises or any food brought into hospital.”
The area in which the food is prepared should also meet food hygiene standards. Fresh Cream should not be used at all.
You should also label every item with allergens in accordance with ‘Natasha’s Law’ to protect those with allergies. You can read the full guidance on this here.
You may have to take extra precautions if you are in a clinical area. If in doubt, check with a senior member of staff or get in touch with Bright Charity.