London's Great Ormond Street Hospital accepts gift of 100 books from UAE foundation

A UAE foundation that aims to promote reading in children has given 100 books to London's Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The donation to the medical centre that treats some of the world's most acutely ill children was overseen by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, founder of the Kalimat Foundation.

The Arabic and English-language books will support the education and emotional well-being of children from around the world who are in the hospital's care.

The books are part the foundation's Pledge a Library programme, which aims to improve the hospital experience for young patients. It provides portable libraries including 100 books designed to offer comfort, cultural connection and emotional support for children who receiving treatment away from home.

Sheikha Bodour also visited the Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, which is part of the hospital. This state-of-the-art institution was made possible by a £60 million ($80 million) gift in 2014 from Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, wife of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

"Through the Pledge a Library initiative, Kalimat Foundation seeks to give children hope when they need it the most," Sheikha Bodour said. "In a place focused on healing the body, stories help heal the heart and mind. We hope these books offer a moment of calm and joy during a difficult time.”

Sheikha Bodour was welcomed by Matthew Shaw, chief executive of Gosh, and Claire Booth, a professor in gene therapy at the hospital, who led a tour of the research centre.

“The partnership reflects our shared commitment to improving the experience of children and families from the Middle East and around the world who come to Gosh for life-changing care,” said Mr Shaw.