Each year Sheffield Children’s Hospital is lit up with sparkling snowflakes sponsored by generous businesses, schools, community groups and individuals. Over the past seven years, the display has raised over £1million for the hospital.
From the beginning of this month, The Children’s Hospital Charity’s snowflakes are back and will light up the side of Sheffield Children’s.
But this year they have spread even further, lighting up other sites around the region including Sheffield City Hall, Sheffield Children’s offsite facilities Becton and Ryegate, Crystal Peaks Shopping Centre, St John’s Church at Owlerton, Homes by Holmes in Chesterfield and the Alhambra Shopping Centre in Barnsley.
unLTD chatted to Sophie Coburn, corporate partnerships officer at The Children’s Hospital Charity, who is one the team behind the snowflakes.
What is your role at The Children’s Hospital Charity?
I am the corporate partnerships officer at the charity, but at Christmas I am also the Chief Elf responsible for organising the snowflake display, I have been affectionately nicknamed Snowphie by the team because of this!
I have worked at the charity for over three years and I absolutely love it – seeing the difference the charity makes to the hospital is so rewarding.
We bet the display takes some organising! What does it involve getting all those snowflakes up there?
This year, thanks to the amazing businesses, individuals, schools and everyone who have sponsored one we have over 450 snowflakes across all the sites.
We install the snowflakes over different dates throughout November with support from businesses, Fizzco and Elev8 and the Sheffield Children’s Estates team. Without them it really wouldn’t be possible.
We also build a lot of the snowflakes ourselves with help from volunteers. Last year a team of Lloyds (is this the bank or the pharmacy?) volunteers helped us to build lots of them, even taking the snowflakes home to their own homes to do them!
I never thought I’d be able to rope light a snowflake, but that sums this job up. Every day is different and I am always learning something new.
What does sponsoring a snowflake entail?
Snowflake sponsorship starts from £600 and there are small, medium and large sizes available. Sponsors see their name next to a twinkling snowflake showcasing their business name for everyone to see. They are also invited to the switch on to see the lights turned on.
How do the snowflakes support Sheffield Children’s?
Over the past seven years the snowflake displays have helped to fund specialist equipment and new facilities at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
Last year’s display raised over £300,000 towards the refurbishment of our Cancer and Leukaemia Ward at the hospital.
This year the money raised through the snowflakes will go towards our appeal to build a helipad on the roof of the hospital and expand our Emergency Department. Every penny raised through snowflake sponsorship really does make a big impact.
When will the snowflakes be switched on?
The snowflakes will all be on from the beginning of December and will be on until after Christmas for everyone to enjoy.
If anyone wants to book their snowflake for next year how do they do that?
Bookings for snowflakes 2022 are now open! If anyone would like to book a snowflake please e-mail snowflakes@tchc.org.uk for more information.
To find out more about the work of The Children’s Hospital Charity and the famous snowflake display please visit www.tchc.org.uk
