Rockinghorse Children’s Charity
Our vision
Our vision is a world where children are healthy and happy
Our mission
We do this by funding projects, programmes and people that enhance the care and support given by our incredible colleagues in the NHS
We work in partnership with the UHSussex NHS Trust and other local charities to fund projects, programmes and people as well as helping young patients and their families.
We fund cutting edge equipment and facilities, support medical staff, innovative research and pioneering treatments, that make a difference to patients and their loved ones.
We support developments that go above and beyond what the NHS can provide at present.
Our values
We are:
•
•
• Caring • Passionate • Honest
Supportive
Collaborative
Donna Holland CEO Rockinghorse
Children’s Charity
"We provide lifesaving medical equipment, toys and play resources, environments and spaces that help children feel more at home when they are in hospital, ground-breaking research in paediatric medicine and additional staff to ensure kids get the best possible care.”
Our impact
Between April 2021 and March 2022
725 60 19 35
380,000 30,000
Children seen in A&E Premature babies helped Projects funded NHS Champions Children supported Services supported
Our reach
Whilst we are the official charity of the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton, we also support a range of healthcare and project settings across Sussex.
Our projects
Throughout the year we support many projects that support babies, children, young people, and their families across Sussex.
Toys
Toys are great fun but can also aid development and help support children’s emotional wellbeing.
We fundraise for thousands of toys, books and craft materials so children can have something to distract them from being scared or worried whilst in hospital.
Equipment
We fund life-saving equipment and specially adapted medical kit that helps make treatement of children in medical environments easier and less stressful.
Spaces
Having the best spaces for new parents, children, or teenagers to spend time away from their bed whilst in hospital is vital in helping them relax, recharge or take a break.
So we fund room refurbishments to help make hospital spaces a nicer place to be.
Research
Funding ground-breaking, innovative research helps our colleagues within the NHS to develop more effective ways to treat children in the future.
Activities
We have funded many activity projects that support children and young people’s mental health. These activites give children managing long term health conditions a chance to meet their peers, share their experiences and have fun.
People
Funding services that actively provide support for children and their families is an important part of our work.
This includes a specialist Paediatric Oncology Support service that helps children explore their feelings around their cancer diagnoisis.
Supporting mental health
The numbers of children and young people experiencing poor mental health have risen massively in the last few years.
Whether it’s depression, anxiety, eating disorders or bullying, the resources to help these young people within the NHS are really stretched. But we fund several services, including a youth worker within the A&E at the Royal Alex, to provide help right where it’s needed the most.
Caring for children with cancer
Having a child with cancer can feel completely overwhelming.
From the initial diagnosis, through treatment and then adapting to life afterwards, every single step is incredibly challenging.
But our support is there for these families. From hair wraps for children dealing with hair loss, to a specialist pyschology service to help families manage their mental health during and after cancer, our funds support families during their most difficult times.
Premature and poorly babies
We support the Trevor Mann Baby Unit in Brighton and the Special Care Baby Unit at the Princess Royal in Haywards Heath.
This support includes specialist neonatal ventilators for tiny bodies, support for parents caring for premature babies and breast feeding pumps to help new parents easily express their milk in comfort and privacy.
Innovative research
Our funding is providing world changing research and treatment for children with asthma.
Along with funding specialist sensors to help gauge treatment compliance, our support is also providing a ground-breaking clinic for paediatric precision medicine to treat this, the most common long-term medical condition affecting children in the UK.
Technology
The use of technology can improve people’s experience of healthcare in so many ways.
Whether it’s an app to help children know what a expect from a hospital stay or some specialist tech to make sure parents with premature babies can have every milestone recorded, we are funding the next generation of support for healthcare settings.
Your support
We are always overwhelmed by the support we receive from so many people in the local community.
From runners to skydivers, businesses to community events, adults to children, their geneorsity constantly amazes us.
How you can help
If we want to achieve our vision to create a world where children are healthy and happy, we still need your help to carry on our vital work.
However you can help, whether it’s £1 dropped in a bucket or £1,000 from a local business, every single donation makes a difference.
Get in touch If you would like to get involved and help support babies, children and young people in your community, just let us know. info@rockinghorse.org.uk 01273 330044