Snooker ball to raise cash for Sheffield Children's Hospital

The 13th annual Cue Ball, heralding the start of the 17-day tournament, will be attended by Sheffield celebrities, business leaders and dignitaries.

Money raised at the event, in the Mercure St Paul’s Hotel on Friday April 15, will fund a room for adolescents in a new wing under construction at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

David Vernon-Edwards, director of The Children’s Hospital Charity, which is raising cash for the hospital re-vamp, said: “We are honoured to be chosen as the official Cue Ball charity.

“All money raised on the night will help transform our amazing hospital – one of just four standalone children’s hospitals in the UK – by funding a space for our older patients to get some respite from their care.

“We want to create a hospital designed with our children in mind, and thanks to this support we can do that.”

The adolescent room will be a space for teens to relax in away from younger patients, where they can play games, watch TV and do their homework.

Sheffield street artist Kid Acne has agreed to transform the walls.

The Cue Ball is a partnership between World Snooker, Sheffield City Council and Mercure St Paul’s hotel and is sponsored by Interserve, Kier, Capita, Keepmoat, Willmott Dixon, Turner & Townsend and Arup.

Mick Crofts, from Sheffield Council, said: “We look forward to staging this event every year as it formally welcomes snooker to the city.

“It celebrates the start of the championships and enables a world ranking sporting event to raise vital funds for local charities.”