Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity is the Butlins Official Charity for 2015!

One of the things I was proudest of blog-wise in 2014 was being selected out of hundreds of applicants to be a Butlins Ambassador for the coming year. As I’ve mentioned previously, I wasn’t by any means a fan before I signed up, but now I can safely say that I’m a total convert, having been on a brilliant break to Bognor, and especially now I seem to find out more and more about the good work for charity that they do.

So… I am delighted to announce that the charity Butlins Official Charity for 2015 is the AMAZING Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity!

Butlins aims to raise £150,000 for the charity in 2015 and will be encouraging guests and teams to raise funds to help bring hope to Great Ormond Street Hospital’s young patients and their families.

Founded in 1852, GOSH and is one of the top five children’s hospitals in the world. It has more than 240,000 patient visits each year, ranging from new-born babies to 18-year-olds, often caring for patients with rare or complex conditions, who are too ill to be treated locally or who need particular specialist care.

 The hospital’s charity raises money to fund redevelopment of buildings, pioneering research, vital equipment and essential welfare services. Money raised will go towards much needed new equipment and also fund one of the hospital’s play workers. The hospital’s play team provides innovative strategies to make the child’s experience of hospital as stress-free as possible, helping them find a way to cope and ensuring they don’t miss out on being children. However, Butlins’ relationship with GOSH started many years ago: back in 1938 Butlins day visitors were charged a shilling to come onto resort, with all that money going to the hospital, while in 1965 The Variety Club – sponsored by Sir Billy Butlin – donated a hydrotherapy pool to the hospital’s Department of Physical Medicine. In 1977 Sir Billy donated funds to purchase the UK’s first paediatric CT scanner at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

 As well being able to donate by text, online or when booking a break, Butlins guests will also have a chance to get involved with the partnership during fundraising activities on resort during the year.

 Said Dermot King, Butlins MD: “We are delighted to be able to continue Sir Billy’s legacy and have the opportunity to put a modern spin on this incredible tradition, working with a wonderful charity that share our ethos of putting families first.”

 Tim Johnson, Chief Executive of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity said:  “We are thrilled to be starting the next chapter of our relationship with Butlins with this exciting new partnership. As well as funding life-saving equipment, the money raised will make a real difference for our young patients by funding one of the hospital’s play workers. The play team provides vital support to families, helping children prepare for procedures, providing distraction and bringing fun and smiles where they can.”

I’m pleased as punch that Butlins will working with such an amazing place, and I can’t wait to help raise awareness of all the good work that GOSH does as part of my ambassador role!

To find out more visit www.butlins.com/gosh. 

Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.