Bristol businesses are being urged to help bring about a sea change in the way the city’s central hospitals care for patients by supporting the Above & Beyond appeal.
Some £6m is being sought through the appeal to transform Bristol’s cancer centre (BHOC, the Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre) and the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI), by ensuring they have state-of-the-art facilities and equipment that is above and beyond what the NHS can provide. 
This will include the region’s first dedicated adult bone marrow transplant unit, a world-class intensive care monitoring system, new individual rooms for the sickest patients and family rooms for their loved ones.
The hospitals will then be in a better position to deliver the life-saving treatments of today and pioneering treatments of tomorrow to millions of people across the region – including the most vulnerable patients.
Bristol Mayor George Ferguson recently replaced his trademark red trousers with gold ones to help celebrate the appeal reaching its first £1m – and he is now calling on local businesses to continue the fundraising drive to reach the £6m target.
He said: “It is vital that Bristol continues to be a caring city where the good health and wellbeing of our citizens is high on the list of priorities. I am delighted to be involved in raising the profile of Above & Beyond over the past week.
“I am now asking businesses in and around Bristol to dig deep to add value to our hospitals – remembering it might be you, your colleagues, families and friends who need this care one day.
“Please join with me in backing the £6m Golden Gift Appeal to make Bristol’s hospitals the best they can be – gold standard. With your help, we can transform two of the most important hospitals for our city and region. Millions of people will benefit: now and for generations to come – but only if we choose to make a difference today.
“£6m is a huge amount to raise, and this will only be possible with your help. There’s a wealth of talent, creativity and expertise in this city’s business sector: let’s harness that, show we care and come together to make it happen. Let's please do it for Bristol.”
