Countess Charity reaches £750,000 target for Blue Skies Balcony Appeal

The Countess Charity has announced that it has successfully reached its ambitious £750,000 target for the Blue Skies Balcony appeal, thanks to overwhelming generosity and support from the Chester community.

The funds raised will go towards building an outdoor balcony for patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and their families, providing them with much-needed access to fresh air and outdoor space.

Launched in 2021, as the nation was emerging from the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, the appeal quickly gained momentum as people recognised the benefits of outdoor time for mental and physical health and wellbeing.

The new balcony will offer ICU patients, many of whom spend long periods in recovery, the opportunity to reconnect with the outside world.

This outdoor space will also serve as a vital component of patient therapy, aiding in recovery by promoting mental wellbeing and offering a peaceful environment for patients and their families.

Construction of the balcony began this week, following a breaking ground ceremony, with the goal of completing the project by spring 2025.

Angie Lopez, Head of Fundraising at the Countess Charity, said: 

"It is wonderful that the target has been met for such a wonderful cause. The people of Chester and the surrounding areas have once again pulled together to support an area of the hospital that nobody wants to find themselves in.

"It really is heartwarming that we have such a generous community, and we are so grateful that we are finally able to start constructing this fantastic new facility that will benefit so many patients and their families," 

Whilst monies raised by the charity has funded the construction, the project has also been supported by Integrated Health Projects (IHP) – one of the lead construction companies currently building the Trust’s new Women and Children’s Building – who are providing labour and materials at a significantly subsidised rate as part of its commitment to giving back to the local community.

The support from IHP on this build is helping to ensure that every pound of charitable funding is used wisely and provides the best value possible for the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Pictured - Project Director Joan Carter, COCH Director of Finance Karen Edge, COCH Head of Fundraising Angie Lopez and ICU staff Dr Lawrence Wilson, Dr Richard Hay, Ashley Timms, Barbara Wood, Gillian Rajan, Emily Carrick, Steve Hall, Dr Lucy London and medical student Lauren Gabbie.