Rockinghorse CEO, Ryan Heal, with Mark Buchanan-Smith, centre director at Churchill Square in Brighton.
The 2019 Giving Trees campaign at Churchill Square in Brighton has been a resounding success. We’re so grateful to the shopping centre and its customers for their wonderful support.
During the month of December, shoppers were able to donate gifts to Rockinghorse by selecting a tag from one of the three festive trees. An incredible 482 presents were donated to children at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital (the Alex) in Brighton.
We were joined by ex-mayor, Councillor Pete West, for the launch of the campaign. Over the following weeks, the community really delivered and beat the 2018 total by donating an extra 137 gifts which collectively were worth an incredible £4,929.70.
Making children happy
Mark Buchanan-Smith, centre director at Churchill Square, thanked the community for backing the appeal and contributing almost £5,000 worth of items. He says, “Brighton completely lived up to its kind-hearted reputation and we are absolutely delighted with the number of presents collected, which have gone on to make so many children happy.
“Rockinghorse does a phenomenal job in supporting sick children and their families, so this was also an opportunity to show our appreciation. Thanks to everyone who took part in the Giving Tree appeal, we really couldn’t have done it without you.”
Terrina Barnes, corporate fundraising manager at Rockinghorse, is delighted with the support we received. She says, “We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the sheer amount of gifts that have been donated to us for poorly children in Sussex.
“We are so grateful to Churchill Square shopping centre and its shoppers for the incredible support again this year. The Giving Trees campaign is a wonderful initiative to be involved in. Throughout the Christmas period, we were busy delivering the presents to young patients at the Alex, thanks to the help of City Sprint.”
Help us to help them
Christmas can be a difficult time for children in hospital. Thanks to businesses like Churchill Square, we’re able to make their experience that little bit better.
To find out how your company can help us make a difference, please click here.
