Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity

It’s almost time for the big reveal. Have you been following the clues? Tomorrow we’ll be launching our first ever livestream fundraiser, The Curious Case of the Copper Key, with the incredible TommyInnit. Tommy will be joined on YouTube and Twitch from 5pm by an incredible line-up of creators, comedians, and celebrity guests as he looks to crack an almost unsolvable mystery. All money raised will go towards helping build the new Children’s Cancer Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital, so that together we can write a new future for children’s cancer care. We’re off to a great start already thanks to the support of our supporters and partners including Tiltify, Staple Games, Ripple, Paysafe and Adopt Me. We can’t wait to see what twists and turns await us in tomorrow’s show.

Did you know it’s Play in Healthcare Week? To mark it, we met Emily, a Play Specialist at Great Ormond Street Hospital, to learn all about the incredible ways she helps patients and their families during their time at the hospital. Please join us in thanking all the Play team at GOSH for everything they do.💙 [Video description: Emily standing in a red dress talking about being a Play Specialist. She can also be seen taking a Mufasa toy's blood pressure, showing the Gruffalo teddy's cannula, and building a LEGO MRI set. The video also shows some X-Rays of toys on the walls.]

We’re delighted to announce that Simon Cowell has agreed to become our new Patron. The title of Patron is the most senior honorary role offered to volunteer supporters and is given for an initial term of three years. It recognises the significant and sustained support an individual gives to our work. Earlier this year, Simon visited Great Ormond Street Hospital and was inspired to support us by the stories of the staff, patients and families he spoke to. Patients like Alyssa, who met Simon at a recent fundraising event as she shared her story and the impact that research had in helping her beat cancer. Simon’s impact is already being felt as he helped raise an incredible £1.1m for the new Children’s Cancer Centre at GOSH at the event. We would also like to take this opportunity to say a huge heartfelt thank you to Lauren Silverman. As the co-host of our recent fundraiser event, Lauren’s leadership and vision has been instrumental in bringing it to life and making the event an incredible success. Please join us in welcoming Simon aboard, his support can help us give seriously ill children the best chance and best childhood possible. [Image descriptions: 1 Simon Cowell, GOSH patient Alyssa, and Lauren Silverman smile for the camera. 2 Simon Cowell speaks to Alyssa as Louise Parkes, GOSH Charity's Chief Executive, watches on.]

Now you can support our Build it. Beat it. appeal and take a break from work all in one go.

We've got a very special message for all our TeamGOSH heroes! 💙 Good luck to everyone taking part in this weekend's RBC Race for the Kids. Whether you’re walking, jogging, wheeling or scooting 2k or 5k, we’ll be there to cheer you on! The money you're raising will help build the new Children’s Cancer Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital. [Video description: A series of GOSH patients and staff wishing runners in the RBC Race for the Kids good luck.]

It was a very special day as we welcomed our friend Sam Thompson back to Great Ormond Street Hospital. From racing toy cars to a very intense game of Uno, Sam brought nothing but smiles and laughs to the patients on Squirrel and Panther Wards. Thanks so much for being such a ray of sunshine, Sam! And good luck with your next game of Uno… [Image descriptions: 1 GOSH patient, Isla, in her hospital bed, smiling next to Sam. 2 Sam and GOSH patient, Clodagh, playing Uno. 3 Sam smiling with two GOSH staff members.]

“How do you thank someone for saving your child’s life?” Steph, Harrison’s mum. At just 10 years old, Harrison had a bleed on his brain and was urgently transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital for specialised care. He was soon diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation, a rare brain condition, and spent time in intensive care before undergoing surgery. We’re so pleased to say Harrison is now back on the playground and showing off his ‘Harry Potter scar.’ This Saturday, he’ll be joined by his family and friends at London’s Hyde Park to take part in RBC Race for the Kids. “We want to give something back to GOSH and having a family event that the kids can all be part of is a really significant thing.” There’s still time for you to join in too! Just head to the link in our bio to sign up by 12PM on Thursday 9 October. 💙 [Image descriptions: 1 Harrison smiling at the camera. 2 Harrison laying in his hospital bed after surgery.]

“The whole time we’ve been at GOSH, she hasn’t been scared at all. They make it a place where children don’t need to be scared.” Madeleine, Aubrey’s mum. Earlier this year, five-year-old Aubrey became suddenly unwell and was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia. She spent six-and-a-half months at Great Ormond Street Hospital for treatment and had to rebuild her strength with the help of the Physiotherapy and Play teams. Aubrey has had to miss out on a lot of school time this year and hasn’t been able to see her friends as much as she’d like. So, we’re delighted to say that Aubrey has begun a phased return to school, and we hope she’ll be back on the playground soon. [Image descriptions: 1 Aubrey laying down, smiling, holding her toy pig. 2 Aubrey in her uniform on her first day of school.]

Romie finally rang his end of treatment bell and we couldn’t be happier for him! Romie was diagnosed with leukaemia at just eight months old. He was quickly transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital and started intense chemotherapy. During his time at GOSH, Romie’s family relied on the Play team to bring the smiles. “He was really young, so missed out on baby groups and things like that, so it was really good for him to be with the other kids in the Playroom,” says Amelia, Romie’s mum. As well as celebrating the end of treatment bell, Romie recently started nursery and loves to run around with the newest member of his family – a puppy called Cindy. Congratulations, Romie! 💙 [Image descriptions: 1 Romie and his parents ringing the end of treatment bell. 2 Baby Romie in the hospital during his chemotherapy.

“GOSH gives hope where there is none.” Oscar, former GOSH patient. Oscar was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukaemia when he was just three years old. Over the next few years, Oscar was treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital but sadly relapsed on the day he was due to be officially discharged. The next step was to receive a groundbreaking T-cell transplant. We’re so pleased to share that six months later, Oscar walked out of the hospital doors cancer-free. Now in his 20s, Oscar and his dad Phil wanted to do something to give back to GOSH so they set up the OSCAR Dragon Boat Race. This year marked 10 years of the event and nearly £4 million raised! In that time, they’ve helped to fund vital research into childhood cancers and are now helping to build the new Children’s Cancer Centre. Please join us in thanking Oscar and his dad for their incredible support over the past decade. [Image descriptions: 1 Young Oscar holding some artwork he created. 2 Adult Oscar with his dad and siblings.]