Gold Dust Appeal hits £100,000 target

Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust are delighted to announce today, as a special Christmas present for 10,000 children and families who use the service each year, their Gold Dust Appeal has reached its £100,000 target to refurbish the children’s wards and corridors at Derriford Hospital.

The Gold Dust Appeal was launched in late 2015 and thanks to the dedication and generosity of supporters, has hit target ahead of plan. The appeal was selected as the Trust’s chosen fundraising appeal and since the launch, individuals, businesses and community groups from across the area have all shown fantastic support.

Anita Dykes, Matron of Paediatrics commented: “I’m absolutely delighted to announce that we have hit our £100,000 target for the Gold Dust Appeal. When we launched the appeal, we knew it was an ambitious target, so to have completed it ahead of plan is a phenomenal achievement.

“It has been inspiring to see all our supporters across the South West, come together to help raise money for our children’s areas on level 12. Every single person who has fundraised or donated has played a vital role and has helped us raise enough funds be able to create an environment where children and their families feel safe, secure and happy. Together our supporters will be making a lasting difference to our patients and their families at the most critical of times, and for this, we cannot thank them enough.”

Funds raised by the appeal will enable the creation of a bright, exciting and welcoming area for children and young people at Derriford Hospital. It will create a calm, reassuring environment to engage children with colourful, themed areas that distract them from clinical procedures and provide greater comfort and privacy for children and their families.

At just two and a half years old, Leya Raper has spent most of her life on one of our children’s wards. Since the launch of the appeal, Leya and her mum, Casey, have supported and raised over £600.00. Casey said: “Leya is doing really well at the moment and we are so thankful to all the amazing staff at Derriford Hospital.

“We know better than anyone how important the Gold Dust Appeal is, so we are thrilled that it will now become a reality and other families in a similar position will enjoy the new wards and corridors they need, as quickly as possible.

“Without the children’s ward and the doctors, we wouldn’t have Leya! They kept our most precious gift alive and I will never be able to thank them enough.”

Ann James, Chief Executive of Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “2016 has been an amazing year of fundraising for the Gold Dust Appeal. Teams of people from across the city have gone the extra mile to raise important funds to refurbish the children’s wards at Derriford Hospital.

“We’ve had the Superheroes Fun Run, abseiling from the Holiday Inn, Bake Offs and very generous donations from local businesses. The efforts from our local communities, patients, their families, staff and our partners have all been more than worthwhile.

“I am absolutely delighted that the Gold Dust Appeal has reached its target sum of over £100,000. This is incredible and will transform the environment for children in Derriford. A big thank you to all who have helped with our fundraising – you are incredible and this, in turn, is our gift to the city.”

The construction on the new wards and corridors is now scheduled to commence in 2017.

The charity still needs the support of those who are currently raising funds for the Gold Dust Appeal, as all pledges will be included in the total amount raised, taking us beyond our £100,000 target.

To watch a short film of thanks about the Gold Dust Appeal, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvHGylwIVOE