Teams from Morrisons stores around the city have banded together to raise money to support Sheffield Children’s Hospital by sponsoring a Bear in the Bears of Sheffield sculpture trail this summer.
Standing proudly in Woodseats, their Bear marks years of fundraising, commitment, and dedication to supporting the hospital.
Named ‘Loose Ends’ and painted by Andy Welland, the Bear has been sponsored thanks to fundraising from six Morrisons stores in total, Meadowhead, Broomhill, Hillsborough, Ecclesfield, Halfway and Catcliffe.
The Bears of Sheffield is a city-wide sculpture trail featuring 60 Big Bears sponsored by businesses and 100 Little Bears painted and decorated by local schools. The trail has been organised by The Children’s Hospital Charity to raise money to build a new Cancer and Leukaemia Ward at Sheffield Children’s.
One staff member from the Ecclesfield store who knows just how important the money raised will be is David Howe whose son, Oliver, has been undergoing treatment for a brain tumour on the Cancer and Leukaemia Ward.
Seven-year-old Oliver was rushed to Sheffield Children’s in September 2020 and within eight hours of arriving, he had had brain surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible. Oliver then underwent radiotherapy and intense chemotherapy.
Oliver is still visiting for regular check-ups and treatment on the ward. The care he has received has inspired his family and the teams at Morrisons to raise money for the Ward that saved his life.
David said, “Sheffield Children’s Hospital have been amazing. They have saved Oliver’s life and while we know that there is a very hard and challenging time ahead of us, we approach it with hope and positivity thanks to them.”
“Since Oliver’s diagnosis, my Morrisons store wanted to do everything they could to help us as a family. They sent care packages and presents which was fantastic and did a socially distanced sponsored walk from the Ecclesfield store and back which raised lots for Sheffield Children’s.
“The effort included lots of people from different stores, some of whom didn’t even know Oliver but raised money to give to the hospital on his behalf. We are so grateful for people’s love, support and generosity.”
Morrisons began fundraising in September 2020 by sponsoring a snowflake on the side of Sheffield Children’s, since then they have raised money in store, delivered hampers for staff and now have sponsored their Bear.
The money raised by Morrisons and through the Bears of Sheffield will help to fund a new Cancer and Leukaemia Ward at Sheffield Children’s. It will create single en-suite bedrooms with room for a parent to stay more comfortably alongside their child.
The new design would also see more patients benefit from the welcoming views over Weston Park, with larger bed bays and more isolation rooms. Increasing the ward footprint would also expand the space for children to play and more than double the size of the ward classroom.
Sophie Coburn, Corporate Partnerships Officer at The Children’s Hospital Charity said, “We are so grateful to Morrisons for their continued support. From starting their fundraising to by having a snowflake to now sponsoring a Bear, their dedication to our hospital is truly inspiring.
“Every penny raised will help to transform the Cancer and Leukaemia Ward at Sheffield Children’s for families like Oliver’s. Thank you Morrisons for all your support.”
To find out more about the Bears of Sheffield please visit www.bearsofsheffield.com.
