Our CEO Delivers Eid Gifts to Birmingham Children’s Hospital

As the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close, preparations for Eid al-Fitr begin. We will exchange gifts, enjoy nutritious food, and spend time with our loved ones. After a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection, we will celebrate the gifts we have given and received from others this holy month. Penny Appeal’s pivotal mission is to give to those less fortunate than ourselves, and this year, Eid is no exception!

Being in hospital can be a difficult and lonely experience for anyone, especially a child. That’s why our CEO, Ridwana, along with some special volunteers, paid a very ‘orange’ visit to the young patients at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Equipped with bags of gifts and plenty of Eid spirit, our volunteers helped to spread a little bit of joy and hope to children currently going through tough times.

Throughout the day, our team visited several wards filled with children and families from all backgrounds. We took the time to speak with each child about their hobbies, interests, treatments, and plans for the future. Hearing the children speak about their journeys was very moving. We passed on many words of encouragement and extended our well wishes. Our statement orange bags full of toys, books, games, and puzzles were given to the children in true Eid spirit, bringing huge smiles all round! This act of kindness is part of Penny Appeal’s commitment to making a positive impact on people’s lives.

Ridwana and our volunteers were struck by the resilience, bravery, and overall positive attitude of the children, despite facing serious medical challenges. Many are enduring life-threatening and life-limiting conditions, but their strength and determination prevailed, leaving a lasting impact on our team. The gifts donated are in partnership with The Birmingham Women & Children’s Hospital, an outstanding facility for advanced treatments, complex surgeries, and cutting-edge research.

During the visit, spreading Eid spirit and donating gifts wasn’t the only thing Ridwana got up to. Our CEO took the opportunity to make a touching speech, she said “it’s wonderful to give gifts to young kids, especially those who are going through a tough time. It shows how a kind gesture can make a heart smile.” And smile they definitely did.

Ridwana added “Ramadan is a time of reflection and compassion, and Eid is a celebration of kindness and generosity”. Giving a simple gift to a child going through treatment in hospital and receiving a beaming smile in return is definitely an example of a small change which made a big difference. This visit reminds us of the true meaning of Eid, and this trip to Birmingham Children’s Hospital is an example that even in difficult times, we can always find ways to spread joy and kindness to those around us.