Children’s Sunshine Appeal launched

30 November 2010

A major fundraising appeal is being launched to help the Trust achieve its vision of providing world class children’s services following our designation as the lead centre for specialist paediatric and neonatal surgery in North West London.

A major fundraising appeal is being launched to help the Trust achieve its vision of providing world class children’s services following our designation as the lead centre for specialist paediatric and neonatal surgery in North West London.

NHS funding of £40 million has already been committed to redevelop Chelsea and Westminster Hospital by building a two-storey extension including new paediatric operating theatres and inpatient facilities.

The Children’s Sunshine Appeal aims to raise an additional £5 million to help our staff to provide the very best services to children and also enable the purchase of innovative art to create a healing environment.

It is being launched this month by Chelsea and Westminster Health Charity whose purpose is to help improve the health of the people of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, and Wandsworth.

Gary Lawson, Chief Executive of Chelsea and Westminster Health Charity, says: “More than 85,000 children are treated at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital every year and the Children’s Sunshine Appeal aims to ensure that they have the best possible experience of the new paediatric unit currently being developed.”

Dr Martin Brueton, Chairman of the Children’s Hospital Trust Fund, has added his support by saying: “I welcome the launch of the Children’s Sunshine Appeal which provides an exciting context for our STAR Appeal to raise £1.5 million for a paediatric surgical robot.”

The Children’s Sunshine Appeal target of £5 million includes the £1.5 milion for the surgical robot.

Heather Lawrence, Chief Executive of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, adds: “I am excited that the Charity is launching this fundraising appeal to support our redevelopment which will improve services for patients. I would urge all staff, patients and our local community to support the Children's Sunshine Appeal because money donated to the appeal will enable us to go the extra mile for children and their families.”

To find out how you can get involved in the Children’s Sunshine Appeal, please contact Chelsea and Westminster Health Charity on 020 3315 6600 or see www.childrenssunshineappeal.org.uk for more information.

Contributors
George Vasilopoulos