From Our Chairman
16th January, 2024
In his latest post, Tim Hutchings, Chairman of our Board of Trustees, reflects on our anniversary year and looks to the future.
Our 60th anniversary in 2023 was rightly celebrated with a number of special events, which included the much-acclaimed Future of Eye Care conference and some great social events to thank our wonderful volunteers, past and present. It was a special year for Friends of Moorfields in which it was an honour to meet so many people who have supported us and, perhaps most importantly, so many patients of the hospital over the years.
Whether it was meeting our oldest volunteer or our youngest; spending time catching up with those who themselves were, or had been, patients of the hospital; listening to those pioneers who were involved in the first patient handholding scheme; or those who were simply volunteering to do something for the benefit of others, the experience was consistently uplifting.
I learnt many things from talking to such wonderful people but the one thing that will remain with me was the overwhelming affirmation of the importance of the work our volunteers do. The benefits of their contributions may not always be measurable but if one applies one’s experience and common sense they are clear. If you don’t believe me talk to a few patients and members of staff within the hospital, I have and their response was universally positive.
2023 was special but, in reality, 2024 will be no different. Our volunteers, supported by our professional team, will continue to do special things. I wish them all a happy and healthy new year.