Fundraising Development Officer Susan Veitch

How we help

Susan started working for the Sick Kids Friends Foundation eight years ago as the Fundraising Co-ordinator. Since having two children she now works part time as the Fundraising Development Officer. Working with the brilliant people who decide to give a regular donation, Susan's responsibilities include the Trusts and Foundation and meeting with the schools and nurseries who come up with wonderfully innovative ways to fundraise.

We get to know her better...

What is the most important lesson life has taught you? 

The most important lesson that life has taught me is to always look for the positive in every situation.

How do you relax?

I like to relax after the children are in bed with a spot of gardening with a glass of wine in my hand!

Happiness is…

Happiness is whizzing down a hill on my bike on a hot sunny day.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

I would invite David Attenborough to my dream dinner party. I think he has so many tales to tell and very inspirational. I would also invite Heston Blumenthal only on the condition that he would cook the food first and Eddie Izzard who I find amazing for his marathon running and for his off the wall humour.

Guilty pleasure?

Guilty pleasure would have to be cake but I don’t even feel guilty about it!

What is your most treasured possession? 

My most treasured possession would be my bike. It gets me to work and has taken me on lots of adventures.

What living person do you most admire?

I really admire Bill Gates for trying to eradicate Aids through his own very generous support and also encouraging other billionaires to give.

How did you get involved with the Royal Hospital for Sick Children?

I had been involved with fundraising for quite a long time when the golden opportunity to work for the Sick Kids Friends Foundation came up. It really is a dream job as you see the money being raised in so many different ways and then spent on projects within the hospital and in the community and making a real difference for sick children and their families.

What makes the RHSC such a special place to work?

The Royal Hospital for Sick Children is a fabulous place to work; it doesn’t feel like a hospital. There are so many bright colours and playrooms for the children. The doctors and nurses are wonderful and give so much support to the children and their families. Seeing the extra comforts, like the Drop In Centre and PJ’s Loft, that the Friends Foundation provides brilliant job satisfaction. 

Describe a typical day…

There is never a typical day at the Sick Kids Friends Foundation as there is always so much going on. Someone might pop in wanting advice on some fundraising that they plan to do or I could be going to a school or nursery to do a cheque presentation and to tell them about the difference that they have made to the hospital. Or I will be talking with Lilian Bayne who is our wonderful schools volunteer about her next PJ Visits. I might be researching the criteria for a Trust application or thanking some people who have set up a direct debit. I love it that no day is the same and you definitely have to think on your feet.

Why should people get involved?

The Sick Kids Friends Foundation is a great charity to get involved with as even the smallest thing can make a huge difference to a sick child. For example providing a Welcome Present to a child who has just arrived at hospital can make a world of difference or giving a brave child a certificate after an operation only costs £1 but can put a smile on their face. The Friends Foundation also supports the families by providing a welcome break in our Drop In Centre or a bed for the night in our PJ’s Loft knowing that they are only a flight of stairs away from their child but away from the stresses and strains of the ward. By either helping out by volunteering at one of our events, being a box collector, helping out in our office, organising your own event or even taking on a sporting challenge will show that you really don’t have to be a doctor to make the Sick Kids even better.

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