A special thank you to all those involved in the Hilmarton Scarecrow Festival Committee, who recently visited the Teenage and Young Adults Cancer Service at the Churchill Hospital to present us with a cheque for £3,000. Sarah, who is a member of the committee, spent time at the hospital after her son was treated for Sarcoma, a rare disease found in 1% of adult cancers. Sarah’s son is now in remission but regularly reflects on his time spent using the special teenage room – equipped with all the things teenagers need to escape during treatment. Without support from the local communities and businesses we would not be able to fund these extras that help our patients during a difficult time. If you would like more information about the work that goes on across our hospitals or to make a donation please visit www.hospitalcharity.co.uk

Support the Oxford Children's Hospital by signing up to run 10 or 5k around the stunning grounds at Blenheim Palace on Sunday 22nd October. Signing up is simple – all you need to do is click here http://bit.ly/2w31zD1 and select which distance you wish to race. 10k Entry (Adult) - £16.50 5k Entry (Adult) - £16.50 5k Entry (Junior) - £9.50 Entry on the day - £20.00 Once registered simply set up an online fundraising page by clicking here: http://bit.ly/2j2cwjl or for more information call us on 01865 743444 or email charity@ouh.nhs.uk

A special thank you to the Toy Trust, the Toy industry’s charity, who this year celebrated their 25th Anniversary by holding the Big Cotswold Challenge where 200 people ran, cycled and Tough Muddered to raise £200,000 to support the 20 dedicated Children’s Hospitals throughout the UK, of which we were one. As part of the 10th Anniversary Appeal we are helping to fund a new Outside Play Area in Specialist Surgery Outpatients, alongside creating more space for parents to stay close to their children and specialist medical equipment. If you would like more information about the work that goes on across our hospitals please visit www.hospitalcharity.co.uk or call us on 01865 743444.

This weekend do something amazing and sign up to abseil 100ft down the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th September. It costs just £25 to sign up and we ask you to try and raise a minimum of £200 in sponsorship for the Oxford Children’s Hospital. Why not tag a friend below to join you? To sign up simply visit http://bit.ly/2rYZbxO For more information about the event or to support the 10th Anniversary Appeal please visit www.ourchildrenshospital.co.uk

It’s competition time! To celebrate the Oxford Children’s Hospital’s new ‘pet’ dinosaur we have been generously donated a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) for the Crocodiles of the World at Carterton, West Oxfordshire. To be in with a chance of winning simply ‘like’ or ‘share’ this post – it’s that simple! The lucky recipient will be selected at random on Wednesday 23rd August! A huge thank you to Crocodiles of the World for the amazing gift! Good luck! Please note: The ticket is valid from September 2017 – March 2018.

Meet our new hospital pet! The Oxford Children’s Hospital has become the proud new owner of a model Utahraptor looking down on patients and families as they enter the hospital. We were nominated to be the 4 foot dinosaur model’s new home after staff member and ‘dino enthusiast’ Sarah Fletcher, won a competition held by the Museum of Natural History, Oxford. She thought it would be the perfect distraction for our young patients and their families when visiting the hospital. She said: ‘The idea of having a model Utahraptor in the hospital seemed like a lot of fun. Having been through the Children’s Hospital with my family, I knew that it would make such a difference to everyone who walks through those doors. But I never thought in a million years that we would win it – I am thrilled!’ As well as funding specialist medical equipment across our hospitals we also help improve the environment for patients and their families to ensure that their stay in hospital is as comfortable as it possibly can be. If you happen to spot the Utahraptor around the Children’s Hospital then let us know what you think! A special mention to the Oxford University Museum of Natural History for letting us use some photos. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Happy Monday! Today is the last day for our exclusive offer to enter the abseil for just £15! This fantastic event for the Oxford Children’s Hospital is great fun and raises important extra funds. We ask you to try and raise a minimum of £200 in sponsorship to help us fund specialist medical equipment, facilities and research to help our young patients and their families whilst in hospital. Why not tag a friend below and brave the 100ft drop together? For more information or to sign up simply visit http://bit.ly/2fEPqjr or call us on 01865 743444.

This weekend why not take advantage of our exclusive offer and sign up to brave the 100ft drop on either Saturday 23rd or Sunday 23rd September for just £15! (normally £25). To sign up and abseil for the Oxford Children's Hospital click here: http://bit.ly/2rYZbxO or email charity@ouh.nhs.uk for an application form. We ask you to try and raise £200 in sponsorship to support our 10th Anniversary Appeal. For more information about the work we do to transform and enhance our hospitals please visit www.hospitalcharity.co.uk orwww.ourchildrenshospital.co.uk

A huge thank you to the Oxfordshire FA for nominating the Oxford Children’s Hospital as their charity of the year. To kick start their year of fundraising they held a special football match over the weekend between Oxford City and Adderbury Park which raised over £1,000 for our very special hospital. The event was a huge amount of fun and it was terrific to see the support from the local community. The 10th Anniversary Appeal aims to raise £2 million to improve and enhance the facilities we offer to our young patients and their families. If you are a local business or a member of a local club why not get involved and help us reach the magical milestone. Simply visit www.ourchildrenshospital.co.uk or call us on 01865 743444 for more information.

This evening we would like to share a very special story about one of our young fundraisers, six year old Finley. Just two weeks ago Finley decided that he wanted to support his mum, Emma, who is currently undergoing treatment for a low grade brain tumour with the John Radcliffe’s Neuro team. Since April, Finley hasn’t really spoken about his mum’s illness, but three weeks ago he decided with his friends Harry and Rowan that they would run laps for an hour around Bourton Park in Buckingham to raise as much money for the Neuro ITU Ward. Finley’s mum said: “As the boys crossed the finish line I felt a huge sense of pride and emotion. In just 2 weeks Fin had come up with an idea to raise money and seen it through to its conclusion and raised an amazing amount in the process. Finley was inspired by a sponsored run he had done at school earlier in the year, and realised that by asking family and friends for sponsorship he could help the hospital which is helping me – it really shows what an amazing little man he is. This was a massive proud mummy moment!” So far Finley and friends have raised over £3,400 for the ward where is mum is being treated. We think that Finley is an inspiration, so please join us in saying thank you! If you would like to support one of our hospitals by organising your own event, or simply making a donation get in touch at charity@ouh.nhs.uk or visit www.hospitalcharity.co.uk

Oscars, Tonys, Golden Globes, Oliviers, Grammys, Knighthood. Sir Tim Rice has had many accolades over his long career but one that not a lot of people know is that he has been a generous supporter of the Oxford Children’s Hospital since it first opened in 2007. To celebrate a decade of support, Sir Tim will be hosting an exclusive evening at Banbury Cricket Club on Thursday 19th October to raise money for the Oxford Children’s Hospital – 10th Anniversary Appeal, with money raised benefitting the Horton General Hospital. Please join us for a magical meander with the great man, as he regales us with tales of his two great passions – music and cricket. Tickets are just £75 and include a champagne reception and a four-course dinner. We have only six tables remaining for this exclusive evening, so to book your tickets please click here: http://bit.ly/2tP3gpV or call the team on 01865 743 444.

Who’s feeling brave? Thanks to our amazing sponsors, we have two FREE places available at our Oxford Children’s Hospital Abseil so need two daredevils who are brave enough to face a 100ft drop from the top of the John Radcliffe Hospital. To be in with a chance of winning, simply share this post and tag a mate who you think would be up for the challenge! One lucky pair will be picked to abseil completely FREE on either Saturday 23rd or Sunday 24th September. Please note: You have to be 18 years old and medically fit to take part. For more information please visit www.hospitalcharity.co.uk/abseils