Fundraising: Dragon and Lanterns: celebrating Lunar New Year together

One of the best parts of my role at Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity is seeing how our city comes together to celebrate, support and care for one another. Lunar New Year is a perfect example of that, and this February we’re proud to be welcoming back our Dragon and Lantern display for the fourth-year running.

Since 2023, our glowing dragon and lanterns have become a much-loved feature at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. Each lantern is gifted by a supporter, and together they create something far bigger than a display – they create a shared moment of celebration, generosity and connection.

placeholder image — Since 2023, our glowing dragon and lanterns have become a much-loved feature at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

The Dragon and Lanterns campaign brings people together while raising vital funds for Sheffield Children’s. Support this year will help fund research and technology in paediatric care, supporting the prevention, treatment and cure of childhood illness.

It’s a powerful reminder that celebrating culture and community can also help change young lives for the better.

What makes Lunar New Year so special is how visible that community spirit becomes across the city. From the Charity Auction Dinner and Meadowhall Parade to lantern-making workshops, the Peace Gardens Festival and the Gala Performance, the profits from which are donated to the charity, that brings the celebrations to a close, Sheffield shows up in force. You’ll even spot Theo the Bear along the way, helping spread smiles and support.

We’re also asking people to look out for our Lunar New Year raffle, with some incredible prizes including Tramlines weekend tickets, dining experiences and a luxury hotel stay - all helping raise even more for Sheffield Children’s.

At its heart, Dragon and Lanterns is about inclusion, joy and hope. It’s about showing children and families at Sheffield Children’s that they are surrounded by a city that cares.

To find out how you can get involved, gift a lantern or make a donation, visit sheffieldchildrens.org/light-campaigns and help our dragon and lanterns shine even brighter this Lunar New Year.