CEO Today UK Awards 2021

59 CEO TODAY UNITED KINGDOM AWARDS 2021 Charity and hundreds of supporters, The Lewis Foundation has grown from delivering 80 gift packs to one hospital, to now delivering over 2,500 to seven hospitals in the Midlands every month. At each hospital patients pick a gift of their choice from a trolley filled with 32 different packs. Packs contain overnight essentials and toiletries, letter writing kits, miniature radios, and lots more. For some patients The Lewis Foundation volunteers are their only visitors. Evidence of Impact: “ In the last year, I have been admitted to Talbot Butler Ward at least 5 times one of which was for my stem cell transplant. Each gift bag I have received during this time has always been very truly gratefully received and very appreciated. This time I was admitted, I had a virus which meant no one could come in my room without masks aprons and gloves, including my husband. This was worse for me than when I had the transplant. This time I had a temperature, very bad throat and extremely sore nose. The 2 packs I received with sweets and a pamper pack were amazing and words can’t explain how much they were needed, appreciated and made so much of a difference to my stay. I had soft tissues, sweets to suck, lip balm, soft face flannel, moisturiser and other bits to make me feel so so much better. Your thoughtful gifts made things so much better for me so thank you from the bottom of my heart. My long journey I’m facing through this blood cancer (myeloma) will always be made easier by kind, caring, thoughtful people like yourselves and all who help you .” Sarah Hevan Changes since the coronavirus: Since the coronavirus pandemic, the gift packs are now more important than ever, with patients visiting being restricted and people having to self-isolate at home. The demand for their services has increased. The charity continues to provide their packs to people in hospital having cancer treatment, however they are now handed out by hospital staff. As a thank you, care packages have been provided to hospital staff to thank them for the amazing job they are doing. The charity has also created emergency care packs for people in the community who can’t get out. It is filled with items such as hand sanitiser, toilet roll, toiletries etc. This is delivered by The Lewis Foundation volunteers direct to people homes. This is Lorraine’s first charity position. She has created and developed the charity to the position it is in today. It has been a huge learning curve and the achievements of the charity has been beyond what was ever envisioned. Lorraine continues to balance her role of leading this charity with her day job, which is a Lawyer for the Crown Prosecution Service in London. Lorraine was recognised for her contribution to cancer care at the Houses of Parliament in January 2020, where she received a British Citizens Award for her services to Healthcare.