THE THOMAS COOK CHILDREN'S CRITICAL CARE CENTRE OFFICIALLY OPENS - Manny Fontenla-Novoa opens new £2.3 million facility at Kings College Hospital
Thursday 22nd May 2008, saw the official opening of the £2.3 million Thomas Cook Children's Critical Care Centre by Manny Fontenla-Novoa, Group CEO of Thomas Cook Group, at King's College Hospital, London.
Made possible by ongoing fund raising from Thomas Cook staff and generous donations from its customers, the new centre will house an intensive care and high dependency unit that will treat more than 40,000 of the country's sickest children each year.
Back in 2005 Thomas Cook pledged to raise the much-needed funds for The Variety Club Children's Hospital at King's. Since then its employees have been committed to ongoing fundraising activity around the world that has seen staff jump a combined 750,000 ft out of planes, run hundreds of miles and climb nine mountains among all other sorts of fun and challenging activities to help raise the momentous £2.3 million target.
Thomas Cook's customers have also played a vital part in raising the funds over the past couple of years by giving generous donations both here in the UK and whilst on their holidays.
Manny Fontenla-Novoa Group CEO, Thomas Cook said: "I have been amazed and astounded at the dedication the Thomas Cook employees have put into raising these funds and the overall generosity of our customers. The new wards will help improve and save many children's lives in the future and its opening today marks a very proud achievement in Thomas Cook's history."
At the opening Manny Fontenla-Novoa was joined by Dr David McCormick, Consultant Paediatrician and Clinical Director for Children's services at King's and Norman Kaphan, Chief Barker of The Variety Club Children's Charity along with nursing staff and patients past and present to celebrate the official opening of the centre.
Dr David McCormick, Consultant Paediatrician and Clinical Director for Children’s Services at King's, added: "We are grateful for the tremendous support both Thomas Cook and The Variety Club have given to this project. The new centre will help staff at King's provide the best possible care for patients like Spencer and Nicole, and their relatives. This is an exciting time for The Variety Club Children's Hospital at King's."
Norman Kaphan, Chief Executive from The Variety Club Children's Charity, said: "For over 20 years Variety Club's Children's Hospital has supported sick children from the UK and worldwide. 40,000 children are treated at Variety Club Children's Hospital every year. The new centre will make better use of ward space, improve facilities and equipment for patients and staff. It is thanks to the generous support of Thomas Cook and the fundraising dedication of their staff that Variety Club will continue to support sick children throughout the UK and beyond."
Guests were given a guided tour of the new Thomas Cook Children's Critical Care Centre by nurses who will be working on the 16 bed facility and caring for children who have conditions ranging from liver failure, cystic fibrosis and neurological problems to major trauma following serious accidents.
Since building work began last year, Thomas Cook has also been working alongside the project teams at King's College Hospital on the look and feel of the centre to ensure it creates a relaxed and homely environment for patients and their families. Using a travel theme, the interior includes a selection of underwater sea life and calming panoramic beach photography.
