At the beginning of September 2017, members of the Hindu community approached the Friends of St Cross and offered to arrange for a team of some 25 volunteers to clean or paint an area of the hospital over the last weekend of the month.
Hitesh Lad, a member of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (UK) – Rugby branch*, explained “Every year our group have been volunteering their time on a day set aside primarily to make a difference to people around us. The day is called 'Sewa day'. Numerous projects are undertaken locally, nationally and internationally. Visit www.sewaday.org for the types of projects undertaken.”
Alistair Nutting, Associate Manager of St Cross said “I was overwhelmed when I met Hitesh and he told us what he could offer to do for the hospital. After consultation with the Friends of St Cross and the hospital management team we agreed that the corridor leading from Blood Taking to the Elizabeth Chapel and the Multi Faith Prayer Room was in need of a fresh coat of paint. This is an area that not many patients or visitors pass through as it is mainly used for staff facilities and has not been a priority for maintenance. The team have done a fantastic job which will be much appreciated by all who do use the corridor.”
Hitesh went on to say “Thirty volunteers gave up 2 days of their time during the last weekend of September. The volunteers were aged between 7 years and 65 years. The project was completed on time and we are proud that it has made a big aesthetic difference to the area as well as helping the hospital to concentrate on maintaining the areas of the hospital that are more used by patients.”
Willy Goldschmidt, Chairman of the Friends of St Cross said “The number of ways that the community has chosen to demonstrate their support for the hospital is constantly increasing and the rapid way in which the hospital team responded to this generous offer of help showed their appreciation of the value they place on the support that they receive from across the community.”
Photos:
- One of the youngest volunteers
- A team of volunteers get ready for work!
Notes *
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh UK [HSS UK] has been instilling the ethos of hard work, good morals and selfless working for over 50 years and it’s effects are being felt in the UK through our integration and affection for the country. See http://hssuk.org/ for more information.