YOU'VE DONE IT!

BBC Kids' Scanner Appeal hits £500,000 target

BBC Sheffield's appeal to provide The Children's Hospital with a new state-of-the-art CT scanner has hit its £500,000 target, thanks to overwhelming support from local people.

The BBC Sheffield Kids' Scanner Appeal came to a celebratory end when BBC Radio Sheffield's Breakfast Show presenter Toby Foster announced to listeners that they had smashed the target, following a £50,000 donation from Westfield Health.

Toby was joined by Katherine Miller, Head of Charitable Administration at Westfield Health, to make the announcement and also heard from George Marriott and Grace Sellers, two young patients from the hospital who have been the voices of the six month appeal. The news brings the scanner appeal total to £510,000 and means that the current CT scanner at The Children's Hospital, which is used over 1,600 times a year, will be replaced.

Because of the developments in technology a new scanner will provide more detailed images of the body faster than the current scanner, with even lower doses of radiation. The 3D images produced by the new scanner will also be clearer and will provide more information for doctors to aid potentially life-saving diagnosis and treatment.

David Vernon-Edwards, Director of The Children's Hospital Charity, said: "We have been overwhelmed by the support we have had from individuals and businesses from all over the region and are absolutely delighted to not only hit the target but smash it with the help of Westfield Health.

I want to thank all those who have been part of this appeal from Radio Sheffield to the donors, fundraisers and George and Grace - the voices of the appeal. Every single person who has been involved with this appeal deserves credit and should celebrate the fact that their support will help the hospital save hundreds of children'ss lives for years to come."

Westfield Health Chairman Graham Moore said: "We are delighted to donate £50,000 to complete the Kids' Scanner Appeal for The Children's Hospital. This appeal has really captured the imagination of the public and some excellent fundraising has been undertaken by a large number of people in order to achieve this fantastic total.

Westfield Health supports many NHS and medically related charities and has been a long-standing supporter of The Children's Hospital and The Children's Hospital Charity. We are very pleased to contribute to such a worthwhile appeal."

The total for the appeal is expected to rise in the coming weeks with money raised through various events still to be counted. It is hoped that the final total will allow the charity to purchase more specialist equipment for the hospital.

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