Rugby legend Matt Dawson has officially opened Morgan Stanley House, brand new accommodation close to Great Ormond Street Hospital where parents of seriously ill children being treated at the hospital can stay close to their child.
An estimated 300 families a year are set to benefit from this new facility which accommodates parents a short walk away from the hospital’s central London location. More than 50 per cent of children treated at GOSH come from outside the capital and because of the specialist care given at the hospital, some need to stay for months on end – making it vital for their parents to have nearby accommodation.
The House, on Sandwich Street in London WC1, has been made possible thanks to employees at Morgan Stanley who helped to raise £1.8m over the last two years to support Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.
Matt Dawson commented: “When our son, Sami, was rushed to Great Ormond Street Hospital, critically ill from meningitis, our lives were turned upside down. The very last thing we had a chance to think about was where we would stay. Thankfully, thanks to GOSH Charity, we were put up in parent accommodation a stone’s throw from the hospital so we never needed to be far from Sami’s side. I am delighted to help open Morgan Stanley House giving more parents somewhere to stay that is close to the hospital and their child.”
Clare Woodman, Global COO of Institutional Securities, Morgan Stanley said: “Since we began our partnership with GOSH 10 years ago, our employees have been constantly inspired by the courage of the children being treated there, and their families. We hope that this new house will offer a home away from home to thousands of families over the coming years, supporting them through the most difficult time of their lives.”
This new accommodation provides a place where parents of the most critically ill children being treated at GOSH can be accommodated free of charge. Morgan Stanley House offers eight private en-suite bedrooms, alongside a communal kitchen and living area where parents going through similar experiences can meet and share much needed support and comfort.
Tim Johnson, Chief Executive of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity added: “The support and generosity of Morgan Stanley staff has been incredible. Their fundraising has now resulted in comfortable, homely, spacious and fully equipped accommodation that will allow parents to be just minutes away from their child’s bedside when they are going through their most difficult times.”
Morgan Stanley House will be available for parents of children being treated at GOSH from Tuesday, 24 October.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Ruth Maurice, Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity
Tel: 020 7239 3125
Email: ruth.maurice@gosh.org
Tom Walton, Morgan Stanley
Tel: 020 7425 5658
Email: tom.walton@morganstanley.com
Notes to editor:
Family story
When April was five months old, she had a heart attack due to an undiagnosed heart condition. April was blue lighted to Great Ormond Street Hospital to be put into an induced coma and ventilated so she could get strong enough to undergo a delicate, life-saving heart operation. Mum Estelle, from Watford, was able to stay in the charity funded parent accommodation and knowing she could sleep just a few steps from April’s hospital bed was an incredible comfort.
Estelle says: “We stayed in accommodation that Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity provided for the entire six and half months April was at GOSH. It’s hugely important because we were by her side from morning until night. When they are that age they know when you’re not there and I couldn’t bear not to be. I didn’t want her to feel that I wasn’t with her, and to be just a walk away if anything happened at night. You worry so much and it’s hard to put into words how grateful you are that you can stay next to the hospital.”
About Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity
Great Ormond Street Hospital is one of the world’s leading children’s hospitals with the broadest range of dedicated, children’s healthcare specialists under one roof in the UK. The hospital’s pioneering research and treatment gives hope to children from across the UK and around the world with the most complex and often life-threatening conditions. Our patients and families are central to everything we do – from the moment they come through the door and for as long as they need us.
Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity needs to raise money to support the hospital to give children who need help the most, the best chance for life. The charity funds research into pioneering new treatments for children, provides the most up to date medical equipment, funds support services for children and their families and supports the essential rebuilding and refurbishment of the hospital. You can help us to provide world class care for our patients and families. For more information visit www.gosh.org
About the partnership
In February 2015, a new two year partnership was launched between Morgan Stanley and Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity following a vote by Morgan Stanley employees. This stage of the partnership saw employees help to raise a total of £1.8 million.
The funds raised enabled the creation of Morgan Stanley House, a new parent accommodation unit close to Great Ormond Street Hospital for the parents of children in intensive care, and in other wards across the hospital, helping to ensure that families can be close to their children during the most critical times.
Morgan Stanley has a long history of working in partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. Since 2007 Morgan Stanley has raised over £13m through corporate donations and employee fundraising. This funding contributed towards the construction of the new Morgan Stanley Clinical Building, which opened in 2012. Morgan Stanley also funded a two-year research project into paediatric nutrition and has committed further funding to enable the hospital school to teach two, three and four year-old patients at their bedside. In May 2016, The Morgan Stanley Garden for GOSH, designed by award-winning gardener Chris Beardshaw, was showcased at RHS Chelsea Flower Show before being transferred to the hospital GOSH where it now provides a reflective space for parents and families of the children undergoing care at the hospital.
About Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services. With offices in more than 42 countries, the Firm's employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals. For more information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com.