COMFORT in a time of need has been provided after a magnificent fundraising effort by staff at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch.
Theatre nurse Sanjida Khan’s heart went out to in-patients when she saw them isolated from their loved ones due to the visitor restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
She noticed that Muslim patients in particular were unable to take comfort from their holy book the Quran, as books like Bibles had been removed due to infection control.
“We thought something needed to be done,” she said.
“It was horrible for families who could not visit someone in hospital, so together with colleagues we set about fundraising during Ramadan to buy some ‘Quran Cubes’.
“These are small hit tech Cubes which give access to the entire Quran.
“You simply plug in the lead and your earplugs and sit back and listen.”
Backing came from medical supplier Avicenna Surgical, together with staff and friends, A2B Taxis and members of the public their contributions raising more than £4,000 in a matter of days.
“I just put it out to my family and friends – the month of Ramadan is the month of giving and the response was overwhelming.”
In all 250 Cubes were bought, and each one will be engraved in memory of a loved one.
“I spoke to the hospital chaplain, David Ryan, and we decided that we didn’t want the Cubes simply given out to the wards we just needed to raise awareness to patients and staff that they were there and available for use,” said Sanjida.
“If it helps people get through their treatment then that is fantastic whether they are on the Garden Suite receiving chemotherapy or on a ward.
“It’s been a very emotional journey for me but I just want people to know that if you are in hospital there is a Cube there which might offer some comfort.”
The Cubes will be shared between Worcestershire Royal and the Alex with plans to roll them out to the Princess of Wales in Bromsgrove and Evesham Hospital.
The Just Giving page is still open for further contributions.
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