A Fundraising Campaign for the Children’s Cancer Ward 27 was launched on the 30th July in partnership with the Leicester Mercury. 

We want to say a big heart-felt thanks to all those who raised funds for our Children's Choice campaign.

The campaign set out to provide kitchens, a special chef and a Children's Choice co-ordinator for children with cancer on Ward 27 at Leicester Royal Infirmary. 

The service was up and running in a matter of months, thanks to dedicated fund-raisers who worked hard to secure the money needed. The new kitchens were opened at the end of last year and the children on ward 27, along with their parents, have told us they are delighted with the service.

We are delighted to say that after reviewing the service and seeing how fantastic it is, that the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust are now going to cover the cost of the kitchens out of our own budget and money raised in the appeal will be used to pay for the chef and Children's Choice co-ordinator for the next couple of years.  After that the hospital will fund a children's choice service itself.

We now want to say a big thank you for the support we've received from the parents of patients on ward 27, community groups, individuals, schools and companies who have all put themselves out and raised a tremendous amount of money for the Children's Choice Campaign.

Some of these fundraising activities in the community have included, a fashion show, a dream auction, a sponsored walk, two skydives, a coffee morning, a school bazaar and many more.

Companies, schools and church groups have hosted dress down days, cake sales and talent shows and have donated a significant amount of money to the campaign.

Tina Clegg, service manager in children's, said: "We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to each and everyone who have raised funds or helped us with this campaign.

There are still on-going fundraising activities across Leicestershire which we are fully supporting and we are so grateful to these people. Now the Children's Choice campaign is being wound down it doesn't mean that people have to stop raising money for the hospitals. People can raise cash for other things in the children's wards."