NEVER ALONE TOGETHER - BRINGING SMILES IN OUR HOSPITALS

Dear friends, 

As many of you know, I am a strong believer in the power of community, especially in times of need.

The last few weeks have seen all our certainties wavering. While we self-isolate away from our loved ones, we shouldn't forget how lucky we are have our health! As a way to show gratitude, we can turn our attention to help those less fortunate.

As such, I have started an initiative to raise funds to purchase a number of Ipads/tablets for the COVID-19 patients who find themselves in intensive care at the hospital Asst Papa Giovanni XXIII in Bergamo. To date, Lombardia is sadly one of the regions that have been hit the hardest, registering the highest number of hospitalisations and deaths. 

All who contract the virus are admitted into hospital alone, frightened and unable to communicate further with their loved ones due to (rightful) isolation measures. Many elderly patients have devices that don't allow for video calls and as such can only be in touch with loved ones through the words of super-hero-guardian-angels, the amazing doctors and nurses that incessantly fight this silent battle to save lives. 

As we all know, the mind plays a huge part in our ability to fight against illnesses. Being able to draw strength and courage from our loved ones, even if that’s just a few minutes of digital contact, can help people gain strength to overcome their battle against the virus. Or at the very least, give them some comfort during hard times.

The Asst Papa Giovanni XXIII hospital advised that it would be easier for them to receive the devices directly, therefore, I have ordered 20+ tablets that will be delivered to me in the next week. Once I will receive them and set them up I will send a courier directly to my contact at the hospital who will personally see that they are distributed to the COVID-19 departments. The aim is to have these delivered and distributed no later than Monday 6th of April to guarantee some extra smiles and family love to the patients ahead of the Easter Holidays.

With your help,  we can raise enough funds to support all patients and doctors through these difficult times and make them feel less lonely in their fight. Please donate freely as every little helps, and I will keep you updated on the progress. We’ll soon add some smiles in those corridors.

To thank you for your generosity I will be offering a series of yoga classes in the next two weeks, to give us all the possibility to move our bodies, stay healthy and feel connected at a time when physical distance separates us. 

Please find the schedule below should you wish to join our little community. All levels are welcomed - remember that no one is good at yoga so if you are a beginner you cannot go wrong :-)

I will be hosting the classes through the app Zoom, download it on your phone or laptop and click on the links below to join the sessions.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart, I feel honoured to have such amazing friends!

Love and light,

Vittoria 

Yoga Classes

Friday 3 April - 8 am BST, 9 am IT . https://us04web.zoom.us/j/207419231

Saturday 4 April - 2 pm BST, 3 pm IT . https://us04web.zoom.us/j/555759246