London Gatwick Airport Donates £34,000 to East Surrey Hospital for SASH Charity

London, UK, 2023-Feb-09 — /Travel PR News/ — Staff from London Gatwick Airport visited East Surrey Hospital last week to hand over a cheque for £34,000, which was raised by airport staff and passengers for the SASH Charity over the past year.

Since SASH Charity – the Trust’s charity – became one of Gatwick’s official charity partners in 2020, the airport’s fundraising efforts have contributed to the refurbishment of the hospital’s chemotherapy suite, helping transform the environment and make it more inviting and comfortable for patients.

Gatwick has also contributed towards enhanced rest areas for visitors at the hospital, including new picnic tables and gazebos for people to take a break in the fresh air.

Melanie Wrightson, stakeholder engagement manager, Gatwick Airport said: “We have been delighted to be able to donate nearly £34,000 to SASH over the past year, contributing towards some much needed improvements for patients, families and staff.

“The money has been raised through efforts of Gatwick staff and passengers, from sponsored events such as Run Gatwick and various marathons, to initiatives like providing refurbished laptops to staff in exchange for a donation.

“Last week’s visit with Gary Gatwick and airport staff highlights the importance of being able to support the hospital, its patients and wonderful staff. It was a fantastic opportunity for us to see the impact of the partnership.”

Raquel Freudenberger, fundraising officer, SASH Charity said: “We are grateful for the partnership with Gatwick Airport and their unwavering support which has allowed us to enhance our services for patients, colleagues and visitors at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Gatwick Airport and their employees for making a difference and showing the impact that a community spirit can achieve.”

Beyond fundraising, Gatwick has also supported SASH Charity through staff volunteering their time to help with projects, such as on-site gardening at East Surrey Hospital. Clinical experts from SASH were invited to Gatwick’s South Terminal departure lounge in October to mark ‘Restart a Heart Day’ and raise awareness of the airport’s partnership with the charity. Specialists were on hand to show passengers how to deliver CPR and use a defibrillator.

Gatwick was also the headline sponsor of The Big Surrey & Sussex Thank You, a three-day event in September for health and care workers, attended by staff from 53 different organisations.

Supporting local charities forms part of Gatwick Airport’s sustainability policy – Decade of Change – and since 2015, the airport has raised more than £1million for its official charity partners.

Gatwick is investing in its long-term future and is preparing a planning application to bring the airport’s Northern Runway into regular use, for departures only, alongside its Main Runway. This low impact plan will improve resilience, reduce delays, and provide a significant boost to the national and regional economy by supporting trade, tourism and new jobs.

About Gatwick Airport

Gatwick is the UK’s second largest airport and flies a range of both short and long-haul point-to-point services. The airport is a vital piece of the UK’s national infrastructure and is also a major driver for both the regional and national economies. In 2019, a new long-term partnership was formed with VINCI Airports which purchased a 50.01% stake in the airport.

About VINCI Airports

The world’s leading private airport operator, VINCI Airports operates more than 65 airports in 12 countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Thanks to its expertise as a global integrator, VINCI Airports develops, finances, builds and manages airports by providing its investment capacity and its know-how in optimizing operational performance, modernizing infrastructures and managing their operations and environmental transition. VINCI Airports is the first airport operator to have committed to a global international environmental strategy in 2016, to achieve the goal of net zero emission across its entire network by 2050.

About Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP)

GIP manages the remaining 49.99% interest in Gatwick and is a leading independent infrastructure fund manager that makes equity and debt investments in high quality infrastructure assets in the energy, transport, water/waste and digital infrastructure sectors. GIP manages US$84 billion for its investors. Its 46 portfolio companies have combined annual revenues of US$61 billion and employ nearly 100,000 employees. For more information on GIP please visit http://global-infra.com

Media enquiries to:

GATWICK AIRPORT PRESS OFFICE
+ 44 (0) 1293 505000
gatwickmedia@gatwickairport.com

Main Gatwick switchboard:

+44 (0) 1293 50 7888

Source: Gatwick Airport

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