In a bid to bring festive joy to families and NHS staff at Leeds Teaching Hospitals this year, local charity Leeds Cares has announced its new campaign ‘Sponsor the Sparkle’, encouraging businesses from across the regaion to adopt a star to help light up Leeds’ skyline.
Ranging from 80cm to 350cm the sponsored stars will be placed on Leeds General Infirmary, overlooking Millenium Square, with a special switch on event due to take place on Monday 30th November.
The campaign has been established following the cancellation of many festival charitable activities, due to restrictions caused by the pandemic.
Commenting on the initiative, Laura Webb, interim head of corporate partnerships at Leeds Cares, said: “We are very aware that many traditional fundraising events will be on hold this year due to Covid 19, yet support for charities is more imprtant than ever.
“The Sponsor the Sparkle event is aimed at businesses, as well as individuals, who may like to see their name in lights on the iconic Leeds General Infirmary to help add some festive cheers as well as raising much needed funds for the Leeds Cares charity.”
Leeds based debt manangement company Lowell is the first business to support the scheme.
Laura added “A huge thank you to Lowell for sponsoring a star this Christmas, their on-going support is invaluable. Without support from local businesses we simply wouldn’t be able to what we do.
“The money raised by our Sparkle campaign will help us spread festive cheer to the thousands of people who will receive care from Leeds Teaching hospitals over the Christmas period.”
Jason Clarke, external communications manager at Lowell said: “Leeds Cares do some wonderful work all year round and Lowell are delighted to support them. The work they do to support NHS staff and patients in fundamental in Leeds.
“We hope that others will join us in sponsoring a star and put a sparkle in Christmas for those who need it the most.”
Leeds Cares is the charity of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trusts, supporting eight areas which include Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds Children’s Hospital, Leeds Cancer Centre, St James’s University Hospital, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Seacroft Hospital, Wharfedale Hospital and Leeds Dental Institute.
The charity works to support NHS staff to deliver the best possible care for over a million patients and their families each year, providing £5 million funding for Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trusts, thanks to fundraising from corporates, businesses and individuals.
If you or your business would like to sponsor one of the stars and make a real difference to your local hospitals this Christmas, please visit https://leeds-cares.org/sparkle/. All stars must be ordered by 20th November.
