Dear friends,

Thanks to your dedication and perseverance, our petition stands at over 77,000 signatures and rising. That is about 14,000 signatures in just a week. All of us at Mildmay are overwhelmed by the level of support for our hospital, as demonstrated by this petition.

Yesterday, our current contracts with the NHS; for providing step-down homeless care services and for people living with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders, came to an end. We had to go into crisis mode and start planning our next steps, which was all quite distressing. Then, just before 3 pm, we were given another temporary contract extension until 31 October 2021.

We now have 4 months of breathing space in which to continue our battle with the powers-that-be to persuade them to put in place a permanent solution because these temporary contracts can’t continue indefinitely. This petition has played – and will continue to play - a huge part in this process. With the support of the public, Mildmay just cannot be so easily dismissed.

A brilliant example of the power of this petition is what happened after an ITN reporter saw it. The reporter, Katie Barnfield, whom some of our patients recognised and got quite excited – big fans of ITN, came across our petition on change.org and got interested in telling our story and our relationship with Princess Diana, particularly because today would have been Diana’s 60th birthday.

Ms Barnfield came to Mildmay today with Eleanor, her cameraperson, to speak to our staff and patients and make a film about us. All being well, it will be broadcast on ITV London News at 6 pm this evening, though things get bumped all the time, so we are on tenterhooks - again! If you miss it, you might find it on the ITV player? We are delighted that ITV is helping to raise our profile and we are going to try and get a copy up on our website in the next few days, so everyone gets a chance to see it, wherever they may be. 

Princess Diana was passionate about dismantling the stigma around HIV, and very much concerned with helping people who are homeless. So it is fitting that on this day, we remember her, and we remember Harry, and all they have done for Mildmay between them. We are so very grateful to them but just as much to you all, for standing up for us. Thank you.

All of us at Mildmay Mission Hospital