A prominent Cambridge-based firm has delivered a monumental fundraising achievement, more than doubling its initial target to support the creation of the East of England's first specialist children's hospital. Cheffins, marking its significant 200th anniversary, has handed over a staggering £212,000 to the Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust. This generous donation is specifically earmarked to fund a permanent, purpose-built playroom within the forthcoming Cambridge Children's Hospital.
A Legacy of Support for Regional Healthcare
This impressive contribution ensures the new facility will offer a substantially larger, dedicated space for young patients to relax, play, and recover in a supportive environment. The hospital itself represents a critical development, as the East of England is currently the only UK region without a specialist children's hospital. The donation forms the centrepiece of a wider bicentenary campaign that saw Cheffins raise over £270,000 for various local and national charitable causes.
Integrating Care and Wellbeing
The new Cambridge Children’s Hospital is designed to revolutionise paediatric care by fully integrating mental and physical health services with world-leading research. This innovative model acknowledges that a child's emotional wellbeing is just as vital as their physical recovery during hospital treatment. The enhanced play environment made possible by Cheffins' funds will be a cornerstone of this holistic approach.
Shelly Thake, Chief Executive of Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust, expressed profound gratitude for a 'fun and memorable' year of partnership. She emphasised that the additional funds will enable a significantly improved play area, benefiting children undergoing treatment for many years to come.
A Year of Extraordinary Fundraising Efforts
The fundraising journey was characterised by a diverse array of events that captured the community's spirit. Highlights included:
- A charity tractor sale that alone raised an incredible £80,000.
- Staff members taking on the physically demanding Three Peaks Challenge.
- Sponsorship of the Saffron Walden Carnival.
- Numerous bake sales and a dedicated charity cycle ride through the local countryside.
In a poignant nod to the firm's bicentenary, staff also collected a toybox containing over 200 items for the hospital’s play teams. This collection is destined to take pride of place within the new Cheffins-funded playroom upon the hospital's completion.
Building a Lasting Legacy
Bill King, Chairman of Cheffins, reflected on the campaign's deeper meaning: “Celebrating 200 years in business gave us a unique opportunity to reflect upon our heritage and more importantly, to look forward and ask what kind of legacy we want to leave behind.” He voiced immense pride in the 'extraordinary energy' demonstrated by his 180-strong team throughout the year.
Although the official bicentenary year has concluded, the partnership between Cheffins and the hospital trust is far from over. The company has pledged to continue its fundraising efforts right up until the hospital's scheduled completion in 2030. This long-term commitment ensures the momentum generated during the anniversary year translates into sustained support, helping to set a new global standard for integrated children's healthcare.
The remaining funds from the wider campaign have been distributed to other vital organisations, including Dementia UK and the Cambridge Community Foundation. This broad philanthropic reach underscores the firm's deep-rooted connections and commitment to the communities of Cambridge, Ely, and Saffron Walden.
