REPLY FROM SOUTHERN DERBYSHIRE TRUST

On receipt of a cheque from the Daily Sport, and after checking the details, staff felt that accepting a donation raised in this way was inappropriate. As we value the views of our staff, the executive team was happy to support them as far as possible. The staff within the Children's Hospital are entrusted with the physical, moral and emotional well-being of the children of Derbyshire and perform excellent work for this Trust. I am sure most of your readers would appreciate that at times these staff have to deal with difficult and sensitive issues surrounding children.

Some of the issues dealt with, such as bulimia, anorexia, and other less-publicised illnesses, are associated with inappropriately perceived self image; this can be reinforced by the media for this young impressionable age group. It is with this in mind that it was felt inappropriate to accept the donation. This Trust places great value on the support given by the people of Derby in all fund-raising matters, and the Children's Hospital is a beacon of what can be achieved through public and professional partnership.

The issue has now been raised at board level and, as a result, we will be reviewing our policies and ensuring they reflect a balanced view of the opinions of the public and our professional staff.

Julie Acred, OBE,
Chief Executive,
Southern Derbyshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

The Trust has created guidelines and outlined principles that must be applied when considering whether a method of fund-raising is appropriate. The trust will refuse any fund-raising event deemed harmful like a boxing bout, anything cruel like a goldfish-eating competition or anything like money raised from a lap-dancing evening. If a department head is contacted about a donation from an unusual source he or she will not have to make a decision alone.

Chris Calkin, director of finance and Information for the trust, said, "Following recent changes in policy, decisions on whether a donation should be accepted will be made by committee rather than by an individual. In this way, we are confident that the decision made will better reflect the views of staff and the public. We are always grateful for charitable donations, and it is intended that these guidelines will assist both fund managers and fund-raisers in all future collaborations which contribute so much to the hospital. If staff aren't confident, they should seek guidance."