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way. But there needed to be a lot of building of trust and pulling everybody together.” While the Children’s Hospital –


with one million visitors and 90,000 children treated annually – is firmly embedded in the West Midlands consciousness, the Women’s Hospital, one of only two dedicated centres of its kind nationwide, is still very much a work in progress as far as charity is concerned. “The Children’s Hospital is well-


known locally and we need to make it known internationally. It's vice- versa for the Women’s Hospital.” To that end, in April, 2019, the


first major fund-raising appeal for Birmingham Women's Hospital Charity for over a decade was launched. The Woodland House Appeal aims to raise £3.5m to create the UK's first standalone


bereavement centre in a hospital setting, providing sensitive and private facilities for women and families who have suffered the heartbreak of miscarriage, stillbirth or the death of a new-born baby. The Women’s Hospital cares for


over 2,000 grieving mums and dads who have lost their baby. But terrible family news currently has to be delivered in cramped 'quiet' rooms, often on the maternity wards or in busy outpatient areas. Says Louise: “Woodland House


will change this. It will be a brand- new, purpose-built, centre away from the hustle and bustle of the main hospital, where families can spend time together in safe, secure and serene surroundings before they feel ready to face the world again. “We need to raise £3.5m to make Woodland House a reality. To date


we have raised almost £700,000.” The appeal is being backed by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce president Steve Allen, who has nominated it as his adopted charity. And highly successful Birmingham-based online gym clothing retailer Gymshark boosted coffers for the Trust further with an imaginative cyberspace initiative, donating £5 for every ‘sweaty selfie' submitted. It raised a cool £180,000 after around 36,000 keep fit fanatics rose to the challenge. That challenge of raising funds


for both the Children’s and Women’s Hospitals has been thrown into deep uncertainty – along with the rest of the world – by Covid-19. “We estimate that we are going to lose £2 million this year, around 30 per cent down. It could be a lot more.


“But we are trying to adapt and


innovate as much as we can. With any business model, it will only get you so far. In 2009, it was very much cash donations, personal letters, cheques etc, now 80 per cent is mobile. The main takeaway from that is how do we remain relevant? “We have to continue to review.


The charity will have to make some tough decisions.” But even a harsh world which


throws up a health disaster such as Covid-19, cancelling or postponing a string of fund-raising events, cannot wipe out the fund-raising spirit at Birmingham's Children's and Women’s Hospitals. After all, they've been raising


money ever since they paid off the mortgage on the original Steelhouse Lane site back in the days of Queen Victoria.


HS2 station wins award before being built


A brick is yet to be laid at Solihull’s HS2 Interchange Station – but it’s already won an award. The station is claimed to be the first in the


world to gain a top award for its ‘green’ credentials – despite the fact that it doesn’t exist. The station, being built near Solihull and the


NEC, is the first to achieve the ‘BREEAM’ ‘Outstanding’ certification, putting it in the top one per cent of buildings in the UK for eco- friendly credentials. The award recognises the station’s eco-


friendly features, including maximising natural daylight and ventilation, a station roof design which can capture and reuse rainwater, and its ability to achieve net zero carbon emissions. It will have 222 electric vehicle charging


points in the car parking, and cycle storage for 176 bicycles, with further room for expansion as demand dictates. ‘BREEAM’ is the Building Research


Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method. It is a standard for best practice in sustainable design.. Soihull-based Arup led the team responsible


for the design, planning and landscaping of the station. Peter Miller, HS2’s environment and town planning director, said: “Our aim is to design,


Green award: How Solihull’s HS2 station will look when it is built


construct and operate HS2 to reduce carbon and to minimise the effect of the project on the environment. Our stations will be amongst the most environmentally friendly stations in the world, so this certification is fantastic news for Interchange station. “In building the station, we are also


committed to sourcing and making efficient use of sustainable materials, reducing waste and maximising the proportion of material diverted from landfill. “All leading environmental organisations


agree that climate change is the biggest future threat to wildlife and habitats in the UK. “By providing a cleaner, greener way to


travel, HS2 will help cut the number of cars and lorries on our roads, cut demand for domestic flights, and help the country’s drive to net zero carbon emissions.” Solihull Chamber president Robert Elliot said:


“Solihull as a community has already been touched by HS2, its plans, initial works, and future development. “Just six weeks ago we launched Solihull Chamber of Commerce’s EcoPledge promoting best practice in many areas of sustainability. “As president, I am absolutely delighted that


the Interchange Station, so pivotal in benefiting Solihull in the future, has achieved this environmental milestone.”


June/July 2020 CHAMBERLINK 21


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