• Why is the Campaign now £4.7million instead of £4.5 million?
• Is government funding available for build?
• How will The Forever Friends Appeal fundraise for the new unit?
• Is The Forever Friends Appeal confident that it can raise significant support from charitable donations?
• What will happen to the redevelopment plans if it is not possible to raise the total funds required?
• Are measures in place to ensure that the building costs remain stable?

Why is the Campaign now £4.7million instead of £4.5 million?

Following the completion of a outline business case, and the initial concept work undertaken, the project requires an additional £200,000 of equipment which will be built into the infrastructure of the building. By building this in at the build stage it will save distribution to the unit at a later stage.

Is sustainability funding available for the build?

Unfortunately we have not been able to secure any sustainability funding to date, but are continuing to look into options available to us at this early stage of the campaign.

Gaining funding is always difficult prior to any initial concepts being drawn up, which are now in place and can be viewed on this site.

How will The Forever Friends Appeal fundraise for the new unit?

The total cost is £6.1 million and The Forever Friends Appeal has agreed to raise £4.7 million (the original £4.5m and a further £200,000 for equipment), and the RUH is funding the remaining £1.4 million.

Given the 2-3 year time plan The Forever friends has launched this campaign to maximise the awareness of the project. From this we hope that we will be continue to gain great support from the local community, companies and larger private benefactors which will make this campaign a success.

Is The Forever Friends Appeal confident that it can raise significant support from charitable donations?

The Royal United Hospital has always relied on philanthropic support. The Forever Friends Appeal since 1999 has raised more than £7m in addition to the continuing ward donations of the hospital charitable funds. This history of fundraising which has seen steady increase in the past few years, coupled with a number of early significant donations to the 'space to grow' Campaign, gives us confidence that our supporters will recognise the urgent need for this project and will demonstrate their commitment to our future.

What will happen to the plans if it is not possible to raise the total funds required?

The hospital will only proceed with the building when the required funding is in place - please see the 'Timescale'. We are unable to segment the build to allow us to start building certain sections, whilst fundraising for the next.

From early indications The Forever Friends Appeal and the Royal United Hospital Trust are happy that enough support will get behind this exciting campaign. Although until a significant percentage of the funds required are secured the building work will not start.

Are measures in place to ensure that the building costs remain stable?

Processes are in place to manage costs within the established budget - these include a cost control framework and risk management reviews. Inflation is projected via national/regional data.

The possible escalation of costs is further controlled by the nature of the construction contracts being entered into - eg. Design and Build contracts - which as well as including a 10% contingency also transfers the element of risk to the contractors.