A remarkable story of kindness
Celebrating milestones in life often comes with personal reflection and a desire to give
back. For one of our supporters, Jack Harnedy, marking his 30th birthday with a generous contribution to Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity held special significance, as both a tribute to his family’s personal connection to the hospital and a reflection of his lifelong commitment to charitable giving. Jack donated £1,400 to our charity in recognition of the excellent care his family received at The Royal Derby Hospital. This donation was not just a gesture, but a profound expression of gratitude toward the team who supported Jack’s wife through an emergency C-section and ensured the safe delivery of their precious son, Rupert, last year.
The Inspiration Behind the Donation
“I’ve committed to giving 10% of my taxable income to charity for the rest of my life – I even have a 10% tattoo!” Jack said. This personal pledge has seen Jack donate thousands to charities that save lives and assist communities in some of the world’s poorest regions. However, this year, he felt a pull toward supporting charities closer to home, especially ones with a personal connection.
Jack with Wife, Jess and their son, Rupert
A Testament to the Care Received
It wasn’t just the maternity care that inspired Jack’s birthday donation. Jack was also touched by the care he personally received at The Royal Derby Hospital when he was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder and Essential Tremor.
“I’m really grateful for the service myself and my family has received from the teams at The Royal Derby Hospital. I hope my donation contributes to making sure that the service is as good as it can be for other families and my own in the future. I’d like to thank the staff – I’ll forever be grateful. You were superb and made us feel like you were genuinely trying your best for us in difficult circumstances. “I’m conscious that naturally we don’t hear enough about all the countless examples of patient care with positive outcomes – which is why I also nominated the staff for a UHDB employee recognition award straight after Rupert’s birth, and why I made my donation to your department to recognise your work,” added Jack.
Encouraging Others to Support the Charity
When asked what he would say to those considering a donation or fundraising effort for Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity, Jack said, “If they are willing and able to, then that’s great!” He highlighted the charity’s vital role in not only enhancing NHS funding
to provide better medical equipment, but also in supporting those ‘extra touches’ that make patient care more comfortable. “Things like toys and wall art for children in hospital, which humanise care and make patients feel more at ease.”
We’d like to thank Jack and his family for sharing their story.
