NHS charity’s Christmas wish for children’s play area

Grab your tinsel and wear your festive jumper with pride – the Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity’s Christmas Fair will return this December to raise money for a new children’s playground.

The countdown to Christmas will officially begin at the event, held in conjunction with Unison Rotherham Health, in reception at Rotherham Hospital on Thursday 1 December 2022, from 10.30am to 2pm – but we need your help!

Whether you are a star baker, a crafty Christmas card maker or can donate a raffle prize or chocolate selection boxes, we’d love to hear from you.

All the money raised will help to boost the charity’s Christmas 2022 campaign, which will once again raise money to fund the redevelopment of the Children’s Ward outdoor play area at Rotherham Hospital.

Rachael Dawes, Head of Fundraising, said: “We have ambitious plans to revamp the rooftop space and hope to make it a special place for children and young people for generations to come. Our Christmas Fair will be our flagship event in December and with your help, we hope it will be bigger and better than ever before.

“Every penny raised will bring us one step closer to creating our dream play area. We are desperate to begin working on the project after Christmas to transform the tired, uninspiring and rather depressing play space we currently have into a fun, colourful and creative place for families to enjoy when they really need it the most.

“If you can bake a cake, craft Christmas decorations or cards to sell, volunteer your time or simply come along on the day and treat yourself to some baked goodies and stocking fillers, we’d really appreciate your support.”

Unison colleagues are already lined up to sell home-made cakes, pickles and Christmas decorations. Youngsters from Busy Bees Nursery and St Bernard’s Catholic High School, Rotherham, will be singing carols and Santa and Dr Ted will be making a surprise appearance. The Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Tajamal Khan, will be switching on the Christmas tree lights.

Last year, colleagues at The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, schools, community groups and individuals pooled their festive cheer to kick-start fundraising for the play area, raising a magnificent £6,500 by taking part in our Virtual Santa Jog, Santa’s Grotto and Christmas Jumper Day.

More than £30,000 is needed to revamp the play area, so every penny raised will count.

Our previous young patients, their families and Children’s Ward staff have already told us what their dream play area would look and feel like – now we need your support to make their dreams a reality.

Any raffle prizes, selection boxes or cakes can be dropped off at the Charity Hub in the main entrance at Rotherham Hospital, opposite Boots and The Stock Shop.

For more information about the event or how you can fundraise for the charity at Christmas, get in touch with the charity team on 01709 426821 or email [email protected].