Gold Dust reaches halfway milestone

Thanks to the efforts of local fundraisers, £50,000 has been collected since the appeal was launched last year.

The Gold Dust Appeal aims to raise £100,000 to create a bright, exciting and welcoming environment throughout the children’s and young people’s areas on level 12 of Derriford Hospital.

After an extremely generous donation of £5,000 from City Bus Plymouth, the company has kindly pledged to donate £10,000 in total, the push is now on to reach the total by January 2017.

Richard Stevens, Managing Director of Plymouth Citybus and Chairman of Devon Chamber of Commerce, said: “Visiting the children’s wards was a humbling experience. The horror of seeing what not only the children were going through but the parents as well really touched us. Anything we can do to make going through that easier, we should do! It really was a no brainer to help such a well-deserved appeal.”

Emma Cronin, Gold Dust Fundraising Manager, said: “We’re delighted by this achievement and I would like to say a huge thank you to the local community for their overwhelming support.

“Reaching this milestone is a massive achievement for the appeal and I would like to say a big thanks to City Bus Plymouth. Without their support, it would have taken a lot longer to hit this point.

“We are all very excited about moving forward with the plans and I would like to ask everyone to continue with your support and carry on fundraising to help reach our £100,000 goal.”

Everyone wants to be able to care for children in a stimulating and sensitive environment, with bright and spacious surroundings, which will provide greater comfort and privacy for children and their families.

If you would like to get involved, fundraise or sign up to the abseil for the Gold Dust Appeal, please visit: http://bit.ly/OurGoldDust