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Football family fun day to support local charities

Fraser Harban, an anaesthetist who works in Theatres at the hospital has organised a celebrity football match this weekend.

Television and sports personalities will be playing, including first Big Brother winner Craig Philips, Billy Jackson from Eastenders, Callum Kane from Hollyoaks, Wolves legend Matt Murray and Bradley (the bouncer) from Tracy Beaker and former footballers Geoff Horsfield, Mark Walters and Terry Angus. The teams will be led by Wolverhampton Wanderers legend Jody Craddock and Kidderminster Harriers Manager Steve Burr.

The charity fun day at Harriers Aggborough Stadium this Sunday 13 May will raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital’s Children’s Cancer Centre Appeal, Cords 4 Life and Balls to Cancer.

There will be live music, children’s entertainment, mini football games and autograph opportunities.

Tickets cost just £5 for adults and £1 for children and can be bought in advance from Fraser in the Anaesthetics Department between Wednesday and Friday or on the day.

The day will kick off at 11.30am with the football game from 2pm. The whole event will finish at 4pm.

‘My Brilliant Children’s Hospital’ Art Exhibition launch

Inspirational young artists behind the ‘My Brilliant Children’s Hospital’ Art Exhibition unveiled their masterpieces for the first time on Saturday 16 March at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery to raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

The exhibition included 150 pieces of art created by young patients from across the UK to show what they think could make their hospital even more brilliant. Some of their fun ideas include roller coaster scanners, superhero doctors, ice cream and candy floss machines on each ward, and a cupboard where kidneys are kept so children don’t have to wait for a transplant.
Each canvas tells the heart-warming story of the child who painted it.

300 children, young people and their families proudly viewed their artwork – on display for the first time since they were created. Several of the paintings already boasted ‘Sold’ stickers, with the first purchased for £500 by Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis, who was impressed by nine year-old Rio Peynado’s painting of superhero doctors.

Shelley Craddock, wife of Wolves player Jody Craddock and mum of three year old Leukaemia patient Toby Craddock said:

“Toby painted his canvas with the help of his brothers Joe (8) and Luke (6) as well as Jody and I. It was lovely to see all of the canvases displayed and to see what all of the children have been through, not just Toby. Toby’s art work symbolised a lot to us in terms of what he has been through and a is marker on his journey. When Toby saw it he was so excited and shouted ‘’it’s mine’’ and was very pleased with it all!”

Vikki Savery, Public Fundraising Manager at Birmingham Children’s Hospital said:

“Hospital can be a scary and bewildering place for a child but all these paintings show happiness, imagination and a world full of colour. It was lovely to meet so many of the young artists who were delighted to see their artwork displayed. I hope people will continue to buy these colourful pieces of art and help us raise vital funds for Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Thank you to everyone that that took part.”

The paintings will be displayed in selected cafes, shops and businesses across the city until June – please our art gallery pages further details and to view all of the paintings. Read the inspirational stories behind them or purchase for a donation of £150 (or more!).

Related links: View the photos here >> Visit our art gallery website >>

150 local fundraisers take on The Cube for Birmingham Children’s Hospital

A Birmingham medical student set a local record this weekend, racing up 322 steps in just one minute and 38 seconds.

Lewis Roberts, who is 18, took part in Birmingham Children’s Hospital’s Stair Rush event at the city’s iconic Cube building on Saturday to raise money for local cancer patients.

The Worcester teen who started studying at the University of Birmingham last September, even beat the speed of the lift in the time it takes to travel from the ground to the 18th floor.

Lewis takes part in cross country and track events at university and although he did no extra training for the Stair Rush, he still runs an average seven miles a day.

He said: “My legs were aching at the end but I was really pleased to finish first. It was an amazing feeling to be involved in such a challenging event. I am now considering what to take part in next - maybe a skydive or the Three Peaks Challenge.”

Lewis was one of 150 participants that completed the Stair Rush including Claire Leighton, a 24 year old mum from Wolverhampton. Claire’s daughter Mia Leighton Jones was born with a very rare and complex heart condition that required open heart surgery when she was just two weeks old. Mia is now three. Claire completed the Stair Rush in four minutes and raised nearly £500 for the heart unit. Firefighter Peter Bell and his colleagues from Warwickshire Fire Service took part wearing their full safety gear. Dan Perager and Alan Partridge from West Midlands Fire Service went one step further and did it in safety gear and breathing equipment that weighs 23 kg.

Once they had completed the challenge, they were rewarded with a glass of champagne in the Laurent Perrier Champagne bar. It is hoped that the event will raise £20,000 for the hospital, which will go towards different areas of the hospital, including the Cancer Centre Appeal, the heart unit and brain tumour research.

Vikki Savery, Public Fundraising Manager at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, said:

“This was the first time we have held a Stair Rush challenge and we were thrilled with how many people turned out to take on the challenge and support the hospital. We also wanted to say a big thank you to The Cube having us. The building was the perfect setting for the challenge”.

Related links: View the image gallery>>