Your snowflakes raise record-breaking total!

A twinkling display of sparkling snowflakes have helped light up Sheffield Children’s Hospital this Christmas, raising a record-breaking amount towards its Emergency Department appeal.

Over 250 snowflakes, more than ever before, illuminated Sheffield Children’s Hospital this evening. Each snowflake, costing between £500 and £6,000 to sponsor has seen businesses, schools, community groups and thankful families raise more than £250,000.

More than 20 are also lighting up Pinstone Street for the first time, thanks to an innovative new partnership with Sheffield City Council.

The snowflakes, made from Sheffield steel, have been carefully assembled over several weeks by scores of volunteers, including more than 80 from Lloyds Banking Group.

Head of Mortgages Amanda Kings said: “I am delighted that due to the passion and commitment of Lloyds colleagues across Sheffield, we have already exceeded our £100k target for the year and are on course to achieve our goal to have raised £250k by 2020”.

The biggest snowflake, the special tower snowflake, was sponsored by HSBC.

Nicola Hinchcliffe of HSBC added: “We have been supporting the hospital for a number of years. In April, my 5 year old nephew Oliver was diagnosed with Mixed Phenotype Leukaemia. The fundraising helps towards the new wards which are spacious and brighter for children – it really does make an awful experience a little more comfortable.

This year’s fundraising will go to towards the appeal for an expanded Emergency Department at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, which treats children from across South Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire. The department was built to see a maximum of 32,000 patients a year, but now sees 60,000 every 12 months.

Under the plans, the waiting room would expand to four times its current size, with an additional triage assessment area and more treatment, consultancy and examination rooms.

Tchad Western, Corporate Partnership Manager at The Children’s Hospital Charity added: “A huge thank you to all our sponsors who have helped us raise a record-breaking amount for Sheffield Children’s Hospital this Christmas.

“Every penny raised will help us in our appeal for an expanded Emergency Department, which as a designated Major Trauma Centre, helps up to 200 children a day from across the region with every possible problem imaginable”.

To find out how you can help click here