Bluebell Wood hospice named charity of the year

The partnership was announced on December 1 at Sheffield Chamber of Commerce’s 15th annual Business Awards at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre.

Bluebell Wood were presented with the award in front of nearly 750 business leaders and Chamber members, after being shortlisted alongside five other local charities.

Bluebell Wood provides care and support for children and young adults with life-shortening and life-threatening conditions, and their families. This includes end of life care, short breaks, music therapy, counselling, sibling support, home visits and more.

Rachael Dawes, corporate fundraising manager, said: “We are thrilled to have been chosen as Sheffield Chamber’s charity of the year for 2017.

“Our partnership will help us raise much needed funds and awareness for the 250 families we support across South Yorkshire North Derbyshire, North Nottinghamshire and parts of North Lincolnshire. We can’t wait to work with other Chamber members to help make the coming year a success.”

It costs more than £4m to keep Bluebell Wood’s doors open every year, and they only receive around 10 per cent of funding from the government.

Sheffield Chamber’s operations director, Brenda Jordan, said, “We are really looking forward to working with Bluebell Wood throughout 2017; this charity and the work they do is really amazing. We have had a great start already, having raised £2,963 during the Sheffield Business Awards, and we are confident we can continue to provide the support needed to ensure a successful partnership.”