The Rockinghorse story

Rockinghorse Children's Charity was founded in 1967 as The Royal Alexandra Hospital for Sick Children Centenary Fund. The driving force behind it was Dr Trevor Mann (best known today for the baby unit that still bears his name).

Dr Mann and his colleagues recognised that the face of children’s healthcare was changing. Newer and more expensive technologies were being developed and staff needed new sources of funding, if they were to be able to offer children the excellent standards of care that they deserved.

Thanks to the charity, Brighton was one of the first places in the country to have a ventilator designed to breathe for premature babies, who may not previously have survived. Doctors were also able to carry out pioneering research into new areas of medicine such as neonatal care and oncology.

In 2006, Rockinghorse launched a major £1million appeal to help fund the new Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital. Since then, we have continued to provide equipment for The Alex and other children’s hospitals that serve Sussex’s children as well as providing equipment, facilities and activities for children with complex health needs and profound and multiple disabilities in respite centres across the county and beyond. In 2010 Rockinghorse expanded its support into Surrey, launching fundraising appeals in Reigate and Redhill.

Learn more about our current projects or watch our film Choose Rockinghorse.