Sole Sisters show support for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice
A group of inspiring Sheffield women have chosen Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice as their charity of the year and are setting their sights on raising up to £14,000 to support one of the hospice’s most important annual events.
Formed in 2024, the ‘Sole Sisters’ began as a walking group made up of friends in their 50s and 60s who wanted to improve their fitness while enjoying the outdoors together. What started as a shared goal to take on the challenging Edale Skyline walk in Derbyshire soon evolved into something much bigger.
And this year they have planned an exciting programme of events to raise money for Bluebell Wood’s 2027 Remembering Day - a special event that offers families the chance to come together to remember and celebrate the lives of their children.
Kelsey Barrie, chair of the group, said: “Back in 2024 we decided to take on the Edale Skyline challenge and when we realised just how tough it was going to be, we thought we might as well raise some money for charity while we were doing it. That’s when our walking group turned into a fundraising group and we haven’t looked back!”
Over the past two years, the Sole Sisters have raised tens of thousands of pounds for a wide range of local charities and community groups, combining organised walks with well-supported social events. Their aim is simple but powerful - to be a force for good in the community and help as many worthwhile causes as possible.
At the start of each year, the group comes together to decide which charities they would like to support. For 2026, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice was an immediate and unanimous choice for several members of the group.
Added Kelsey: “Although there wasn’t one specific reason behind our decision this year, we were all very aware of the incredible work Bluebell Wood does. We’ve fundraised for Sheffield Children’s Hospital in the past, so supporting a children’s hospice felt like a natural next step.
“We’ve always wanted the money we raise to pay for something specific and when Bluebell Wood’s Remembering Day was suggested, we all felt it was the most wonderful idea. It’s a real privilege to be part of something so important for the hospice and the families it cares for, and we know our supporters will feel incredibly proud to be involved too.
“We are hoping to raise between £12,500 and £14,000, enough to fully cover the costs of Remembering Day in 2027.
“At all of our events, our wish is that guests have the best possible time but we also want everyone to understand that they’re helping us raise as much money as we can for our chosen charity and this year, that charity means a great deal to us.”
Fundraising for the year will begin with a Ladies Spring Lunch at The Maynard in Grindleford, followed by two Ladies Christmas Lunches in November at Sheffield United Football Club, where more than 450 women are expected to attend across the two days.
Hannah Goulding, regional fundraiser for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, said: “We are in awe of what the Sole Sister have achieved over the last few years with their fundraising endeavours and for them to now be supporting Bluebell Wood for the year ahead is incredible.
“We are really excited about the events they have planned and are so thankful to be working with them to make our 2027 Remembering Day extra special. The annual remembrance event is held every September at the hospice for our bereaved families to come together and remember their children so it is incredibly important to us all.”
Bluebell Wood opened in 2008 and cares for babies, children and young people from across South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire, North Derbyshire and parts of North Lincolnshire, whose lives are sadly just too short, both in their own homes and at the hospice. All services are completely free to families who are referred to Bluebell Wood.
To find out more about Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, please visit www.bluebellwood.org