The Harrow Club, which has six youth clubs across west London serving over 500 children and young people, has received a much-needed bus donated by the Leus Family Foundation.
The Harrow Club has been working with the local community since 1883. Their aim is to address needs amongst young people related to disadvantage and poverty. The Club’s activities range from sports clubs to drama and dance.
Their network of clubs includes Harrow, Chelsea, Old Oak, Sands End, White City and Lancaster Road and welcomes children and young people between the ages of 8 and 21 years old, of whom 80 percent are eligible for free school meals, 90 percent are from ethnic minority backgrounds and 20 percent have been diagnosed with learning difficulties or disability issues.
Dmitry Leus and Michael Defoe with club members in the new minibus.
The local areas The Harrow Club works with have some of the highest rates of school exclusion in the country and many of the young people the club engages with are at risk of being recruited by gangs and drawn into gang-related conflict, making the Club’s work crucial.
The bus donated by the Leus Family Foundation will facilitate the transfer of young people between their activities and the different sites and will also open up the possibility of easier outings for the groups.
Michael Defoe, CEO of The Harrow Club, welcomed the donation: “We are delighted to receive this contribution. It will make a great difference to us to be able to transport the young people we work with using our own bus. We are very proud of the quality of programmes we offer to help young people learn and engage and this practical assistance is greatly appreciated. A big thank you to the Leus Family Foundation.”
Dmitry Leus with attendees of the Harrow Club.
Dmitry Leus, the founder of the Leus Family Foundation said:“I am a huge admirer of the work that the Harrow Club does, both their long-standing programmes and also the way they step up to address the most pressing current needs. They took the initiative to start a weekend programme for assist newly arrived young refugees from Afghanistan who are living in West London hotels. Their efforts with young people who are in danger of being recruited by gangs is vital. They have a real impact, helping the most marginalised young people to maximise their life chances and to enhance their personal development, getting them on the road to employment and building their resilience and well-being. It is a great pleasure to provide the bus as a practical support for this great work.”
Dmitry Leus, of the Leus Family Foundation, is working hard to combat the aftermath of the lockdown.
As the UK’s impressive vaccination rate continues and the roadmap towards the country opening up again is visible, if not entirely fixed, the aftermath of this locked down year is already on the mind of Dmitry Leus.
The London-based entrepreneur and former European fencing champion heads the Leus Family Foundation, which was recently awarded official charitable status by the Charity Commission for England and Wales, and the welfare of young people and their families is at the heart of the foundation’s mission.
The Leus Family Foundation was founded long before COVID-19 hit and the focus has always been on young people. But the intense impact of the pandemic on the wellbeing of young people has added urgency to the Foundation’s work.
Experts have made very clear the impact of the pandemic on the young. Dame Rachel de Souza, the children’s commissioner for England, recently told The Times that although children may not have fallen ill in large numbers from Coronavirus, they have “paid a huge price for the measures we’ve had to take to contain it”.
In the same Times report, Professor Russell Viner, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and a member of Sage, warned of the potentially catastrophic “collateral damage” to children.
“There’s a real question about how much of that is a wound that heals and how much of it will lead to long-term scarring,” he explained.
“We can talk about what we think the loss of education will do; we can say what we think the harms are around mental health. But it’s also the more subtle stuff. Have we shifted a whole generation towards anxiety and being more risk-averse? Have we shifted a whole generation away from physical contact, and all the things that come with human contact that bring benefits to us? Those are all the things we don’t know.”
The toll that the pandemic has taken on the younger generation is worrying to Dmitry Leus.
He said: “This has been a tough year for everyone. But I think our young people might be the ones suffering the longest lasting impact of this unusual year. They are still developing and their characters are still forming.
What we know for sure is that we have babies who were born into a lockdown situation, toddlers who have never seen anyone outside their home without a mask, teens who have had their wings clipped just as they should be socialising independently and university students listening to lectures on Zoom in their childhood bedrooms.
We do not yet know the full impact that this isolated year will have had on them. We will still be trying to understand that in years to come. What we do know is that this generation will need our support.”
The practical challenges that the young generation faces are a priority for him: “Imagine being 18-years-old right now. Or 21. Finishing school or university. It must feel a little bleak. How has this crazy year affected your university chances? Will you be able to get a job when you graduate, given the post-pandemic economic difficulties we are likely to endure for years to come?”
However, it seems his approach is one of solutions and finding answers: “Our Foundation’s response to this problem will be to continue to target where we see the most need. Our sporting programme, helping disadvantaged children in South London to experience fencing and all the confidence-building and discipline that sporting life can deliver is one example. This is the kind of area where we can give the young a real boost.
“We know that the pandemic conditions have been extra tough for families with children with chronic illness, so supporting causes like St George’s Hospital Charity will remain a priority.”
At the height of the pandemic, the Leus Family Foundation responded to urgent appeals from charities for the Royal Free Hospital, Princess Royal University Hospital and St George’s Hospital to support doctors and nurses on the frontline through care packages, mental health provision and the creation of respite spaces for staff. It also donated to Runnymede Food Bank.
Founder of the Leus Family Foundation, Dimitry Leus FRSA, is also honorary president of Brixton Fencing Club (Image: Leus Family Foundation)
Dmitry said: “Those collaborations will continue to be important for us, as sadly there will still be hungry families as we climb out of this pandemic situation and we want to help where we can, especially to improve the life opportunities for children.
“We know that we’re all in for some challenging times ahead. The most important thing we can do is to stay positive and always look for ways in which we can make a difference. For our Foundation, that means targeting young people and their families to ensure that we build for the future by creating better chances for the next generation”.
He concludes on a characteristically positive note: “We do know that resilience is one of the most important qualities that we can have in this modern world and I have no doubt that this young generation has been building their resilience throughout the pandemic.
“But they need a helping hand now and we owe it to them. Essentially, they sacrificed a lot to help protect the old and the vulnerable and now we need to repair any damage and help this young generation.”
Founder of the Leus Family Foundation, Dimitry Leus FRSA, is also honorary president of Brixton Fencing Club (Image: Leus Family Foundation)
By Jennifer Morgan
“We will continue to do all we can and look forward to many valuable partnerships in the future”
A foundation that devotes its efforts to the welfare of young people has recently received official charitable status from the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
This status is a long-held dream of the founder of the Leus Family Foundation, Dmitry Leus FRSA, and directors Michael Wynne-Parker KCLJ and Manjit K. Gill MBE. The trio feels the charitable status builds upon the foundation’s initiative and passion to help.
The organisation was formed to develop the potential of children and young people from all backgrounds and ultimately benefit the broader community by helping them fulfil their ambitions.
Founder Dmitry Leus says: “It is a joy that our Foundation is able to help so many young people and it is so rewarding to see the direct benefit that our support has brought to their lives’.
“We will continue to do all we can and look forward to many valuable partnerships in the future. Having received official charitable status affirms our commitment to our causes and those we work with in the future.”
The Leus Family Foundation already has a successful track record in its aims to be as caring, supportive, and far-reaching as possible.
The Foundation has supported charities and independent causes that innovate, nurture and support today’s children and young people, whilst also regularly responding to urgent appeals such as, and of more recently, various Covid-19 Relief funds.
The Foundation’s philanthropic work began with its important partnership with St George’s Hospital Charity.
Dmitry Leus FRSA with supporters of St George’s Hospital Charity (Image: Leus Family Foundation)
Throughout the years Dmitry, a recognised Children’s Appeal Supporter of St George’s Hospital Charity, is proud to have maintained a relationship and continues to support initiatives such as funding the recent children’s garden renovations, sponsoring a fundraising dinner at the House of Commons and by providing “Buzzy’s” – a child-friendly pain distraction device which makes blood tests and injection procedures much quicker and less traumatic for younger patients.
Parallel to this and through his work with the Leus Family Foundation, Dmitry is an ambassador to HealthProm, patron and honorary president of Brixton Fencing Club and patron of Binti International.
Another charity he has a personal affiliation with is COPS (Care of Police Survivors). He is acutely aware how diligently the police force works and how hard it can be on their families when things go tragically wrong and so was honoured to sponsor COP’s Winter Ball in February 2020, an event enjoyed by all and a great opportunity to show his respect and support.
During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, Dmitry made supporting his local community, NHS and the vulnerable- young and old, a priority.
He responded to appeals from Imperium Health Charity, the Royal Free Charity, Runnymede Hospital and Food Bank and St George’s Hospital Charity.
The Leus Family Foundation this year is looking to grow by adding more charities under its umbrella and also key personnel with extensive experience and expertise in the charity arena, the Foundation is looking forward to a prosperous future helping as many as it can.
For a full list of charity partners and further information on projects undertaken by The Leus Family Foundation please visit here
Royal Free Hospital, Princess Royal University Hospital and St George’s Hospital in London have received thousands of pounds for ventilators, critical care capacity, PPE, testing capacity in an act of solidarity by the Imperium Investments company in England.
The influx of coronavirus patients has increased five to seven times in London in the last few weeks, and chief executives are alarmed by the speed at which hospital beds are filling up in London.
The problem has been exacerbated because up to 50% staff sickness rates with suspected coronavirus or in vulnerable groups.
According to Chris Hopson, Chief Executive Officer of NHS Providers, London hospitals are facing a ‘continuous tsunami’ of coronavirus patients, and some of them are likely to be overwhelmed in a few days due to staff sickness rates rising.
“London CEOs saying they urgently want a lot more of everything – staff, ventilators, critical care capacity, PPE, testing capacity – but they recognise that their job is to do absolutely the best with what they have got and that’s what they are focused on”, he added.
UK hospitals seek donations to cope with coronavirus outbreak
Trusts and the charities of many hospitals are asking the public to lend their support to staff as quickly as possible via their funds.
Imperium Investment, a London-based company has responded to appeals to help tackle the problem.
The company has donated thousands of pounds to hospitals in England, which will provide the necessary support to protect nurses, doctors and other health care workers fighting the virus on the front line.
The company posted on its Facebook page where Dmitry Leus, CEO and Founder of the Imperium Investments, has said: “Old and young people are losing, risking and having their lives put in jeopardy because of this awful pandemic, I feel that now more than ever, it is my moral duty to help where I can.
And while I have no experience or knowledge in medicine, I am able to donate so that doctors can continue to fight for me, for my family, and for all of us.
I sincerely hope those who see this and are in the fortunate position to be able to support and protect our frontline heroes fight Covid-19 do so in any way they can”.
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust has thanked the company by saying: “We are extremely grateful for the incredibly generous donation from Imperium Investments in support of our Covid-19 Emergency Fund.
They have responded resoundingly to our public appeal and their gift will make a tangle difference to our critical work at this time. From the provision of care packages at the end of a very long shift, to psychological support and the creation of physical respite spaces for our staff, Imperium’s donation is directly helping to meet the needs of our local NHS heroes”.
Amerjit Chohan, CEO, St George’s Hospital Charity: “We are particularly grateful to long-term supporters like Imperium Investments who are able to support our NHS staff and our most vulnerable patients during this time of need. Their donation, and overall commitment to the charity will help us make a difference in the coming weeks and months”.
Ian Lush, Chief Executive of Imperial Health Charity,said: “During this extremely challenging period, we’re determined to do everything we can to support our incredible NHS staff as well as the most vulnerable patients who suddenly find themselves in real financial difficulty.
Right now we’re working closely with our NHS colleagues to get support out to staff on the front line – and despite the extraordinary pressure, it’s clear that staff are responding in the most remarkable way”.
“We’re extremely grateful to Dmitry Leus and the Imperium Company for their incredibly generous donation in support of our appeal. We know the scale of the challenge is enormous and this significant contribution will make a huge difference in enabling us to get urgent support to staff on the front line.”
Also, theyexpressed its gratitude to the company in the social network: “Thank you so much @DmitryLeusUK for supporting our urgent appeal and helping our hospitals fight #covid19UK. We are so grateful for your generosity at his crisis. #ThankyouNHS
Statistics
UK coronavirus deaths rise 27 percent in one day.
April 3: 33,718 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus in the UK and 2,921 people have died, the Department for Health confirmed.
April 2: the National Health Service confirmed that 569 people had died after testing positive for the coronavirus in the previous 24 hours.
April 1: The UK has reported 29,474 coronavirus cases and 2,352 deaths linked to the virus.
March 31: 25,150 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus in the UK and 1,801 people have died, the Department for Health said on Tuesday, March 31.
The deaths of the first British doctors from Covid-19 have intensified pressure on ministers to accelerate the supply of protective equipment and address growing fears among frontline staff that they risk catching and spreading coronavirus.
Doctors died from Covid-19:
April 3
Areema Nasreen, 36, mom of three, staff nurse died in the Walsall Manor Hospital, where she had worked for 16 years.
March 31
Alfa Sa’adur, a general practitioner, worked for the NHS for nearly 40 years in different hospitals across London. He died on Tuesday aged 68 after a two-week battle with the virus.
March 29
Thomas Harvey, a mental health nurse at Goodmayes Hospital in north east London, passed away on Sunday 29th March after contracting Covid-19 from a hospital patient.
March 28
Amged El-Hawrani, a 55-year-old ear nose and throat consultant at university hospitals in the north of England.
March 25
Adil El Tayar, 64, an organ transplant specialist, had been working at Hereford County Hospital in the west of England as a volunteer in the emergency department
Habib Zaidi, 75, worked in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex, southeast England.
The Royal Free Hospital, Princess Royal University Hospital and St George’s Hospital in London have received thousands of pounds for ventilators, critical care capacity, PPE and testing capacity in an act of solidarity by British company Imperium Investments.
The influx of coronavirus patients has increased five to seven times in London in the last few weeks, and chief executives are alarmed by the speed at which hospital beds are filling up in London.
The problem has been exacerbated because up to fifty percent staff sickness rates with suspected coronavirus or in vulnerable groups. According to Chris Hopson, Chief Executive Officer of NHS Providers, London hospitals are facing a “continuous tsunami” of coronavirus patients, and some of them are likely to be overwhelmed in a few days due to staff sickness rates rising. “London CEOs saying they urgently want a lot more of everything – staff, ventilators, critical care capacity, PPE, testing capacity – but they recognise their job is to do absolutely the best with what they have got and that’s what they are focused on,” he added.
Trusts and the charities of many hospitals are asking the public to lend their support to staff as quickly as possible via their funds. Imperium Investments, a London-based company has responded to appeals to help tackle the problem.
The company has donated thousands of pounds to hospitals in England, which will provide the necessary support to protect nurses, doctors and other health care workers fighting the virus on the front line.
The company posted on its Facebook page where Dmitry Leus, CEO and Founder of the Imperium Investments, said: “Old and young people are losing, risking and having their lives put in jeopardy because of this awful pandemic. I feel that now more than ever, it is my moral duty to help where I can.”
Mr Leus added: “While I have no experience or knowledge in medicine, I am able to donate so that doctors can continue to fight for me, for my family, and for all of us. I sincerely hope those who see this and are in the fortunate position to be able to support and protect our frontline heroes fight Covid-19 do so in any way they can”.
The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust has thanked the company by saying: “We are extremely grateful for the incredibly generous donation from Imperium Investments in support of our Covid-19 Emergency Fund. They have responded resoundingly to our public appeal and their gift will make a tangle difference to our critical work at this time. From the provision of care packages at the end of a very long shift, to psychological support and the creation of physical respite spaces for our staff, Imperium’s donation is directly helping to meet the needs of our local NHS heroes”.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Chris Hopson added: “Staff are struggling with the explosion of demand in seriously ill patients. They are saying it’s the number arriving and the speed with which they are arriving and how ill they are. They talk about wave after wave after wave. The words that are used to me are that it’s a continuous tsunami. As one said to me, it’s much bigger and large numbers with a greater degree of stretch than you can ever have possibly imagined.”
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UK hospitals seek donations to cope with coronavirus outbreak
April 2: the National Health Service confirmed that 569 people had died after testing positive for the coronavirus in the previous 24 hours.
