The Friends of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital partner with The Queen’s Reading Room to launch festive book donation campaign

The Friends of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and the Trust is proud to announce a special partnership with The Queen’s Reading Room to bring the joy of reading to our patients this Christmas.

The festive campaign launched on Thursday 21 November and will run for five weeks encouraging the public to donate books, both new and pre-loved, at a unique giant book installation.

The installation is next to the flower stand at St Mary Abbot Church where Kensington High Street meets Kensington Church Street. It features a large Christmas present box inviting visitors to contribute to the Friends of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital library collection, which serves the hospital’s patients and staff.

This collaboration marks the first-ever physical activation by The Queen’s Reading Room, the charity established in February 2023, and highlights the power of reading to foster connection, uplift spirits and support well-being, particularly during the festive season.

The books donated through this initiative will go directly to the Friends of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital library and book trolley service, which provides much-needed reading materials for patients, particularly those who may be spending time in hospital over the holidays.

As well as donating books, visitors to the installation are encouraged to leave positive messages for future readers, spreading goodwill and festive cheer. The books will be distributed to hospital wards, where they will support patients, especially children, in making their hospital stays a little brighter.

Lesley Watts, Chief Executive of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said:

“The simple act of receiving a book can offer a much-needed moment of comfort. We are incredibly grateful for this generous initiative, which will bring joy and connection to our patients, helping to make their hospital experience a little brighter this Christmas."

Hilary O’Neill, Chair of Trustees at the Friends of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, said:

“This is a wonderful initiative from The Queen’s Reading Room charity, and we feel privileged to benefit from this campaign. The donations of books we receive will be a huge boost to the Friends’ library service, and we are so grateful to the charity for its support.”