Royal support as Oxford Children’s Hospital turns ten and launches new £2 million appeal
24/01/2017
This article is more than seven years old.
Ten years ago in 2007 the doors opened to a hospital that now holds a special place in the hearts of thousands of families across Oxfordshire and the surrounding counties.
To mark this milestone the hospital's charity is launching a new £2 million 10th Anniversary Appeal - to make the hospital and children's services across the NHS Trust even better for young patients and their families.
A special birthday party is taking place for patients in the hospital, and staff, parents and the local community are being urged to get involved with the new fundraising appeal.
A statement of support from HRH the Duchess of Cambridge has been sent to the hospital charity, praising the committed staff and encouraging people to support the new appeal.
The Duchess said:
"It is wonderful to hear of the inspiring ways in which charitable donations have helped young patients and their families in the Oxford Children's Hospital over the past decade.
"So many areas of hospital life have been touched by the generosity of those donating to the hospital's charity. It is the efforts and dedication of these individuals, groups and organisations, in conjunction with the tireless work of committed hospital staff, that make this 10th Anniversary celebration so very special.
"I would like to congratulate the Oxford Children's Hospital on this important milestone and lend my wholehearted support to a new appeal launched by the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Charitable Funds.
"I wish this appeal every success in raising funds so that babies, children, teenagers and their families can continue to be looked after in as comfortable and happy an environment as possible, with the very best equipment, during what can inevitably be an anxious time for all."
Lady Baldry, Chair of the 10th Anniversary of the Oxford Children's Hospital Appeal, added:
"We are thrilled to receive such special words of support from the Duchess of Cambridge which will mean so much to the staff and families at the Oxford Children's Hospital.
"We really hope our wonderful local community will also rally behind this important appeal. Please do consider how you, your friends, business, workplace, school or club can get involved and help us celebrate ten years of the Oxford Children's Hospital by raising £2 million to make it an even better place for our young patients and their families."
The Oxford Children’s Hospital 10th Anniversary Appeal will help create more space for parents to stay close to their children, as well as fund extra play areas and specialist medical equipment.
Eleanor Jones, Head of Fundraising at Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Charitable Funds, said: "We wouldn't have this very special hospital without the support of our local community who helped raise funds to build the Children's Hospital - and we are calling for their support once again.
"Ten years after the hospital opened we have more young patients than ever, and there is a real need for extra accommodation for parents and carers. At the moment there simply isn't enough space for all the parents who so desperately want to stay close to their children, so we are working with our friends at Ronald McDonald House Charity to help fund a new 62 bedroom building to keep families and their sick children close together.
"The appeal will also create extra play areas, a new bedside monitoring system across the whole of the hospital and the very latest biomedical testing equipment to quickly diagnose bacterial meningitis and respiratory infections.
"As we mark ten years of this incredible place, we ask you to join our campaign to raise £2 million to further improve and enhance the facilities we offer.
"With your help we can make a real difference for our youngest patients and their families when they need it most."
More information and how to donate to the appeal can be found at: