Bradford’s hospital buildings will twinkle again this festive season as people from across the district show their support for our NHS by sponsoring a snowflake light.
Bradford Hospitals’ Charity – the official NHS charity partner of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – has launched its Snowflake Appeal to raise money to make the festive season extra special for patients and staff.
The snowflake lights can be sponsored for £500 for a standard sized light and £1,000 for a larger one.
The giant snowflakes will be attached to the front of Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke’s Hospital. They will have an official switch on, with the names of the businesses, organisations and families who have sponsored a snowflake on display in each entrance, along with any dedications.
There will also be a virtual snowflake display online at bradfordhospitalscharity.org
Hayley Collis, Head of Fundraising for Bradford Hospitals’ Charity, said: “We held the snowflake appeal for the first time last year and it was a huge success. The twinkling lights really lifted the spirits of our staff and hospital visitors and it gave our community a lovely opportunity to support the NHS in a way which we could all enjoy.
“All our sponsors have their own personal reasons for donating to our Snowflake Appeal and it gives us the chance to tell their story. Some people choose to sponsor a snowflake in memory of a loved one who was cared for by our amazing doctors and nurses, while some feel it is important to them and their business to show support for their local NHS
“The beautiful twinkling lights are a reminder of the support we have,” said Hayley, “which means so much to all our staff. It gives them the morale boost they need and brightens up our hospitals during the dark winter months.”
Hayley added that the money raised through the ‘festive thank you’ would enable the charity to support patients and staff who are in hospital over Christmas.
“Traditionally. we donate £12,000 a year to buy presents for patients in hospital during the festive period. It’s such a difficult time for children to be in hospital at any time of the year, but especially so over Christmas. We would also like to fund a small gift for those long stay patients who will be in over the Christmas period.
“Like lots of charities, many of our fundraising events have been cancelled this year, so with your help we’ll be able to bring some of the magic to them directly.”
If you or your business, organisation or family would like to sponsor a snowflake, please call our charity office on 01274 274809 or email charity@bthft.nhs.uk
You can read more on our website at https://bradfordhospitalscharity.org/christmas/snowflakes/