The Friends support Patients and former Patients of Queen Mary’s Hospital who are sick, convalescent, disabled, handicapped, infirm or in need of financial assistance and generally support the charitable work of the Hospital by providing various voluntary services and extra amenities for Patients and Staff in the Hospital at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
The Friends have provided:
A Sensory Room to rehabilitate the elderly. Special equipment for amputees in the gym.
Tilt wheelchairs for the Paediatric Unit. Football table, punch bag and art materials for the Mental Health Wards. Paging system for the Radiology Dept. Music system for the Ward. Maintenance of a garden especially designed for Amputee Rehabilitation
The Volunteers provide invaluable services and activities such as:-
Meet and Greet at Reception. A trolley service for the wards, the gym and outpatient areas. Entertainment in the wards and celebrating patients’ birthdays. Dog visits to the wards. Piano and chamber music in Reception. Assist with the general well-being of the patients.
MEET THE TEAM
Charles Shiplee
CHAIRMAN
Charles has lived in Putney since 1991 when he moved from Australia to London on secondment to his company,  one of the world's largest advertising groups.  His daughter was born in Queen Mary’s.  Along with her two brothers, one a rower, the other a Rugby player and his daughter a net baller, rower and swimmer, it seemed that there was never a month gone by when he was not attending minor injuries to deal with a sprain, concussion, blood injury or similar.  Having such a comprehensive facility close to home has also helped with ongoing medical needs of Charles and his wife.  Having semi retired some years ago Charles felt he wanted to use his expertise in advertising to give back to the hospital that had been there so often for him and his family.  He joined the committee of Trustees  and in 2020 became Chairman.  Health care in the region is undergoing many changes and Charles hopes to see Queen Mary’s remain a force in the local community, supported by the NHS and of course the Friends.
Rosemary Brown
TRUSTEE
Rosemary Brown lives in East Sheen and joined the Friends in 2019. Her background is in industrial journalism and PR. She was an Independent Custody Visitor with the Metropolitan Police from 1995-2002. Rosemary has helped with fundraising at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability in Putney. Currently she is a Volunteer Host at Tate Modern where she has worked since 2012.
Omar Bapstista
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
The Revd Omar Baptista, the volunteer coordinator for The Friends of QMH. Omar is an NHS Health Care Chaplain with vast experience in operations and supervision experience. Omar's role as the Friends volunteer coordinator is to recruit, train and manage the team of volunteers. Goals are to increase the numbers of volunteers in the hospital and expand and implement new activities in conjunction with the medical and therapist teams.
Linda Lamb
TRUSTEE
Linda has been involved as a Volunteer, Trustee and past Chair of The Friends of QMH for over 20 years, and has also worked in QMH Archives for 10 years. Linda feels very grateful to have the opportunity to help QMH which is so important to the local community. Linda had a long career at the BBC organising, liaising and managing production teams and these skills have stood her in good stead for committee work.
Sarah Shaw
TRUSTEE
Sarah joined The Friends in 2006 as Hon Secretary to give back to the community. Sarah lives in Wimbledon, her background was PA to Maurice and Charles Saatchi. Sarah resigned after 10 years and is now a Trustee involved in organising the annual Bridge Drive fundraiser at the Roehampton Club, held every December, with another trustee, Di Gregory plus others who have assisted.
Susannah Perry-Greene
TRUSTEE
PR & COMMS
Susannah was born in Queen Mary's Hospital. Her mum Jane Perry served the Friends Group for 22 years as Chairman, Vice Chair and Volunteer Coordinator. as was rewarded a League of Mercy for her efforts. Susannah was one of the founding members /Vice Chair for Friends Of Coronation Gardens where the Friends were very successfull in working with the community for events, fundraisers and gaining memberships. Susannah's responsibility is to raise the profile of the Friends Group with fundraisers, community events and partnerships.
Margaret Dangoor
TRUSTEE
Margaret became a trustee of the Friends, when the Archives and Museum group became a ‘special interest group’ of the Friends. The group came together in the late 1990’s, with the purpose of collecting and preserving the artifacts and history of the previous Queen Mary’s Hospital Roehampton, an acute general hospital, which was developed initially opened as a convalescent hospital, in 1915, treating and caring for the war wounded from the First World War (archives.friendsqmh.com) As a senior nurse and later general manager, Margaret spent most of her career in the NHS working at Queen Mary’s, and managed many of its services over the years, including the regional rehabilitation centre; the department transferring into the present community hospital as the Douglas Bader Rehabilitation Centre. Margaret has been active in the Richmond borough’s community and voluntary sector, for over 30 years, forging her connection when still working at Queen Mary’s. She has been a trustee, chair or volunteer for a number of local and national charities, and also works in social care research at the London School and Political Science. Margaret currently chairs a patient participation group for a GP health centre. She brings to the Friends her knowledge and interest in the health and social care acute and community environment and as a past carer has a special interest in dementia and carer issues.