At The Lewis Foundation we source, package and hand deliver gift packs for free to adult cancer patients in hospitals in the Midlands weekly. These are items that patients might find difficult to buy themselves or simply cannot afford – and that brings people happiness and comfort at a difficult time. For many people in hospital, our volunteers are their only regular visitors.
Lorraine and Lee Lewis were so moved when Lee’s mum was hospitalised with cancer at Northampton General Hospital that it led them to set up a charity. Recognising the fear, upset and loneliness faced by individuals undergoing cancer treatment and their loved ones, they were determined that the charity would make a real difference. They sourced donations, packaged, and delivered gifts to patients on oncology wards. That was April 2016 – when The Lewis Foundation was born. Today with a team of 50 volunteers and community supporters, The Lewis Foundation has grown from delivering 80 gift packs to one hospital, to delivering around 2000 gifts per month to 17 hospitals in the Midlands per month.
How it works in the hospital, is that patients pick a gift pack of their choice from our gift trolley and there are 29 different packs to pick from. Packs range from toiletries, puzzle books and miniature radios. Once the gift is received, we then spend time with people to reduce loneliness.
Due to our work with businesses/wholesalers and members of the public fundraising 1 gift costs £3.60. A really simple way to make a huge difference.
