Sick Children's Charity Carol Service Raises over £500

A charity that supports the families of sick children raised over £500 last week after hosting its first ever Christmas Carol Service at St Mary’s Church, Bramall Lane, to say thank you to all its supporters.

The Sick Children’s Trust, which runs two ‘Homes from Home’ in Sheffield to support the families of sick children undergoing treatment at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, invited celebrity guests - ex-Blades premiership footballer Bruce Dyer and Emmerdale’s Rik Makarem – to give Christmas readings. They were joined by Sheffield Community Choir, Ashdell Preparatory School’s Head Girl Tammy and eight-year-old Harry Leverton, whose parents stayed in Treetop House when he required specialist treatment in 2009. Harry’s Mum, Laura, who is also The Sick Children’s Trust’s Regional Fundraiser for Yorkshire, says:

“As our first Christmas Carol Service goes, it was a huge success, and with everyone’s fantastic support – our guests, our celebrities and our team – we will help families make this Christmas as magical as possible.

“For many, Christmas is about spending the time with family. Unfortunately, for the families we care for, this Christmas will be a difficult one as they look after their seriously ill child in hospital. But The Sick Children’s Trust will be there, ensuring they can be there for their sick child when it matters most.

“As a Mum who has been there, reliant on support at the worst possible time, I am so passionate about raising awareness of the charity and the work it does. The Sick Children’s Trust really saved my family when Harry was ill, not once, but twice. We live in Chesterfield, which I know doesn’t seem far, but when your child is fighting for his life, you need to be by his side. The charity’s ‘Homes from Home’ mean you can stay together as a family and fight together. That’s why they are so crucial.”

The Sick Children’s Trust runs three ‘Homes from Home’ in Yorkshire, supporting specialist children’s hospitals. Treetop House and Magnolia House are located at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, while Eckersley House is located at Leeds General Infirmary. Over the year, The Sick Children’s Trust has supported over 1,200 families regionally.

To find our more, visit: www.sickchildrensturst.co.uk