Sheffield Hospitals Charity has launched its Christmas Campaign. This year the charity wants to say ‘thank you’ – and are kick starting the campaign by offering supporters the chance to bid on artwork from their charity ambassador local artist Joe Scarborough and a range of other amazing fundraising opportunities.

2020 has been a challenging year, but the support that the people of Sheffield have shown staff and patients across local hospitals has been inspiring. So, Sheffield Hospitals Charity want to say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for that ongoing generosity – and they are doing it with the support of renowned Sheffield artist and Sheffield Hospitals Charity Ambassador, Joe Scarborough.

Sheffield Hospitals Charity is raising money to thank staff working across our hospitals who have shown so much care for us throughout these challenging times, and to help make life that little bit easier for the patients who are having to spend their Christmas in hospital.

As part of the campaign, the charity will be running an online auction which will feature an array of incredible prizes. Top of the lots are a number of paintings which have been donated by the charity’s latest celebrity ambassador, Joe Scarborough.

The online auction can be found at bidaid.com/auction/shc, and all money raised will go directly towards supporting patients and staff in our hospitals this festive period.

Scarborough, 82, was born in Pitsmoor, Sheffield and has been a local lad ever since. His paintings so often picture every day life in Sheffield and South Yorkshire – and he wanted to give something back to his community.

Speaking after joining the charity, Joe Scarborough said: “I am truly privileged to be joining Sheffield Hospitals Charity as an ambassador, and even more so to be doing so as they launch their vitally important Christmas appeal.

“I love Sheffield and the opportunity to get involved with a charity that supports the whole city and its population was one I couldn’t turn down.

“I ask the people of Sheffield to show that unbeatable spirit and join together to make a difference this Christmas.”

View and bid in our Christmas auction

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Every penny that the charity raises in this campaign will go directly towards making a real difference to staff and patients over the festive period and beyond.

£10	£10 could pay for a light to be lit in outside Sheffield Hospitals, in memory of a loved one no longer with us. (You can make your donation, as well as leaving a message on our additional virtual tree of lights by going to https://visufund.com/shc-in-memory)
£20	could pay for a Christmas gift for a patient who is isolated away from their loved ones over the festive period. Gifts could include a personal radio, or a subscription to an audio book.
£50	could pay for patients to receive support from an activity co-ordinator for half a day. This would allow patients to take part in arts or musical activities so that their stays in hospital are less isolated than they might otherwise be.
£100	could pay for comfort packs for a whole ward of amazing patients or NHS staff. Comfort packs would include items such as hand creams, moisturising lotions, pyjamas and slippers.
£250	could pay to provide permanent outdoor benches to be set up around our hospitals – ensuring that staff and patients have dedicated outdoor spaces to escape the pressures inside the hospitals.
£500	could pay to help run the hospital’s dedicated CALM rooms over the busy festive period. CALM rooms provide staff with a safe and relaxing environment, away from busy shifts, where they can take time to unwind and have access to specialist support services.

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Speaking ahead of launching their campaign, Gareth Aston, Chief Executive Officer for Sheffield Hospitals Charity, said: “I am proud and to launch this campaign. At this time of year we should all be looking forward to celebrations with family and loved ones, but this Christmas, that won’t be an option for many of us – especially patients and staff in our hospitals.

“Being able to launch this campaign with a local legend like Joe Scarborough on board is massive, and we are bowled over by his generosity in donating his paintings. Joe is so passionate about wanting to give something back, and we are excited to work with him.

“The people of Sheffield have shown so much support to us and to their hospitals over recent months and we are so grateful for that. It is important, this Christmas, to acknowledge that support and say ‘thank you’. But we are now asking for one last push as we reach the festive period – to make Christmas a little bit easier in our hospitals.”