Kuwait " 8 May 2011: Gulf Bank recently visited the site of the Bayt Abdullah Children's Hospice, which is currently nearing completion. The hospice, which is due to be opened in November, is being fitted out with advanced state-of-the-art medical equipment to receive and treat children suffering from cancer.

Visiting the site last week were Mr. Fawzy Al-Thunayan, General Manager - Board Affairs at Gulf Bank, and a team from the Bank who presented a participation from Gulf Bank to the Kuwait Association for the Care of Children in Hospitals (KACCH). This donation falls under Gulf Bank's annual contribution to KACCH to ensure excellent medical care and accommodation for children staying at the hospice.

Gulf Bank's visit helped to keep it updated on the progress of the project.  The Bank has been involved throughout all the phases of the project starting from the preliminary layouts.  Mrs. Margaret Al-Sayer, Founder and Director of KACCH, shared the latest developments of Bayt Abdullah with Gulf Bank's team hosted the visit and provided the team with an overview of the recent progress.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Al-Thunayan said: "I am very proud to see the most advanced project of its kind in the world being set up in Kuwait. Bayt Abdullah will be a fully-integrated medical care facility that we can be proud of, and which will help and save the lives of many.  When I reviewed the blueprints and prototypes for the project, I sensed the confidence, determination, ambition and the noble intentions of the people responsible for the rise of this national landmark."

"The progress is much greater than I had expected. Walking through the corridors of Bayt Abdullah and viewing the fully-equipped rooms and the furnished chalets for patients' families makes me very confident that the promise of Bayt Abdullah is shortly to become a reality. This is truly a unique experience in charity that I am sure will become an exemplary model of its kind to follow in the future".

Towards the end of the visit, Mr. Al-Thunayan presented Gulf Bank's donation to Mrs. Al-Sayer, who expressed her thanks and appreciation for the pivotal role Gulf Bank has made in caring for hospitalized children. Mr. Al-Thunayan commended the enormous efforts exerted by KACCH members to create a proper environment for children and ensure suitable accommodation for them at the hospice. It is worth noting that Gulf Bank also recently sponsored a half marathon whose proceeds went to the Bayt Abdullah project.

Bayt Abdullah, a hospice dedicated to the treatment of children with cancer, is the result of many charitable contributions made by Gulf Bank and other institutions and associations over the past years. Once completed, Bayt Abdullah will offer medical care and treatment for children suffering from this life-threatening illness. Services will also include palliative care for the alleviation of pain through daily care facilities, games, and recreation. It is a significant entry to the history of child medical care in the State of Kuwait. Gulf Bank decided to take part of this grand project and provide charitable support as it paves the way for a new approach in caring for young cancer patients in Kuwait.

Gulf Bank is a socially responsible Kuwaiti leading financial institution which is fully committed to charitable events that benefit all groups which make up Kuwaiti community.

A group picture of Gulf Bank team and KACCH.

Mr. Fawzy Al-Thunayan, General Manager of Board affairs, Gulf Bank                         (left to right) Mrs. Maha Coppard, Operations

handing the annual participation cheque to Mrs. Margaret Al-Sayer,                             Manager at BACCH, Mrs. Margaret Al-Sayer,

Manager at Gulf Bank.