Hundreds of fundraisers from across the West Midlands did their bit in a festive knit to support Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity’s third Festive Jumper Day. The annual event, this year known as Star Jumper Day, saw supporters put on their silliest seasonal attire – from ho-ho-horrendous hats to wacky winter woollies – in a bid to raise much-needed funds to help the charity build the UK’s first Rare Diseases Centre for children.
Participants were urged to put on a sweater to make things better for over 9,000 children treated at the hospital living with over 500 rare or undiagnosed conditions, by making a minimum donation of £2.
The new centre, being funded by the charity’s £3.65 million Star Appeal, will provide a single place within the hospital for all assessment, diagnosis, treatment, research and valuable peer-to-peer support for families living with a rare condition.
Annie Eytle, Acting Events and Regional Fundraising Manager at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “We’ve had a fabulously festive day and the support we’ve received from patients, staff, local businesses, schools, celebrities and individuals has been incredible.
“As everyone knows, Christmas is a special time for giving as well as receiving and our Star Jumper Day supporters really have given our brave children the best present of all – a real boost to our Star Appeal! A massive thank you to everyone involved, our Rare Diseases Centre is now one step closer to becoming a reality.”
