​JYSK Bradford backs hospital Rays a Smile Appeal with match gift for little Molly-Mae

Bradford’s new JYSK store surprised 10-year-old fundraising super-hero Molly-Mae Windle by matching her phenomenal £400 donation – all raised by herself – with another £400 for Bradford Hospitals’ Rays a Smile appeal.

The gift was one of two Bradford community donations from JYSK. Bradford City FC Disability Team undertook a timed challenge at the event to raise funds for the team with one minute to net 60 pillows and up to £500.

The Rays a Smile gift was presented by Country Manager for JYSK UK, David Ashton, to Molly-Mae at an exclusive VIP preview event at the store on Friday 28th June, the evening before the store celebrated its Grand Opening Day at 9am on Saturday morning.

JYSK said ‘Hello Bradford’ with prices of up to 70% off, a FREE Danish breakfast, FREE ice creams (while ICE CREAMS last) for customers (on production of a JYSK Bradford receipt) and – for those who got in the queue early enough, the chance to collect a ‘balloon bonus’. There were 25 balloons for the first in the queue, each giving another 10% off (not to be used in conjunction with any other offer).

The Scandinavian-owned global store group is in a rapid expansion phase in the UK and hand-picked Bradford from 400 potential locations thanks to its cultural richness, great community and shoppers it knows will love the quality and the prices.

Its VIP evening gave local community figures the chance to view the store before doors opened, and charity fundraiser Molly-Mae was among the first.

The young fundraiser and St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School (Clayton) pupil Molly-Mae is championing Bradford Hospitals’ Charity’s Rays a Smile appeal, which aims to make radiology services more child-friendly. She has Cystic Fibrosis, so hospital appointments, X-rays and ultrasound scans are routine - and is keen to help other children feel more comfortable with these diagnostic treatments.

JYSK’s David Ashton said: “We were impressed with what Molly-Mae has achieved and what a confident young lady she is. We are already working with hospitals to provide better break-out and rest spaces for junior doctors – sleep and being relaxed are so important for good physical and mental health – so Rays a Smile caught our eye.

“So, while we are donating to Molly-Mae’s cause, we’ve also decided to provide her with a top-of-the-range new mattress for her bedroom, to make sure she is ready to jump out of bed and take on the day.”

Molly-Mae attended the VIP evening with her family and Radiology team and Bradford Hospitals’ community team members.

Bradford City FC Disability Team also provided a focal-point for the evening with a nail-biting player-to-player pillow pass (£5 for every pillow), racing against the clock before an invited audience of Bradford VIPs.

Funds raised during the super-speed challenge went to the club’s foundation. With a target of 60 pillows to pass for the big prize, the players had a potential of £300 to net during a minute and, JYSK added a £200 bonus for a total of £500.

Players were joined by their families and team members from Bradford City’s women’s and youth teams as well as foundation representatives. Bloggers and media also attended the event.

Shoppers were advised to get to JYSK Bradford early for the pick of Grand Opening Day items and blistering prices and the chance to get hold of a 10% bonus balloon.

Note: The Rays a Smile appeal was launched by Bradford Hospitals’ Charity to create a more child-friendly environment in the radiology departments at Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke’s Hospital, as well as to buy specialist kit to distract children during scans. The entire project will cost £250,000 to transform services into bright and welcoming environments for children in both hospitals. Donate to Rays a Smile here https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/raysasmile2019