Holiday Inn does Halloween

Guests checking in at the Holiday Inn Eastleigh this Halloween were greeted by Sarah our cute black cat and Beata a splendid witch.

Dinner and Drinks were served by the Food & Beverage team, who also wore an array of Halloween themed outfits

Many thanks to all the Teams taking part in the Holiday Inn Halloween Day to raise funds for Sophie's Appeal.

Mike got a Wiggle on and Raised Vital Funds

Mike Carter raised £137.50 for Sophie's Appeal by taking part in the Wiggle Super Series New Forest 100 Sportive Bike Ride in October 2012. Mike was one of 3000 riders taking part.

Mike completed the Sportive 100 mile bike ride in 6hrs 45mins; an amazing result when competing at this distance for the first time.

Well done Mike and thank you for choosing to support Sophie's Appeal.

Sophie's Appeal is Chosen By You!

A huge thank you to the customers and staff of Asda, Eastleigh for choosing to support Sophie's Appeal in your thousands by placing your green tokens in our collecting box!

Thanks to the Chosen by You, Given by Us community scheme looked after in store by Cecily Casey and to the tremendous support of you all, we were beneficiaries of their most recent £200.00 community donation.

Caribbean Evening

Sophie's Appeal held it's first Caribbean Evening at Fleming Park Bowling Club on 28th September 2012.

The room was decorated with palm trees, beach mats, flower garlands and brightly coloured cloths, with the centre piece being a stunning giant balloon palm tree kindly made by Jennie at Fleming Park Bowling Club.

The authentic steel drum music was provided by Harbour Lights. Guests enjoyed a Caribbean Cocktail and Hog Roast, and some guests participated in the Limbo and Hula Hoop Challenge.

Thanks to all those who attended and made this an enjoyable evening!

Gala Evening at the Bowl

Following the announcement of Smith Brothers Stores Ltd to nominate Sophie's Appeal as their local Charity they set about organising a Dinner and Casino evening to help raise funds of the Appeal.

The Gala Evening gave SBS and their business partners and customers the chance to meet each other followed by an evening of entertainment including comedians, table magicians and a casino.

During the evening a table raffle was held which raised over £1000.00 for Sophie's Appeal.

Donna LeMay, manager of the Eastleigh branch, said 

‘I hoped to raise £1000.00 on our first fundraising event and stopped counting when we reached that! Our business partners and customers have shown what a fantastic cause Sophie's Appeal is.'

What a Reception!

Following a donation of £80,000, Sophie's Appeal is proud to have been invited to the opening of the new Reception Area on Northbrook Children's Ward at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester.

The tremendous success of Sophie's Place, the Children's Assessment and Treatment area on Northbrook Ward, funded by Sophie's Appeal, inspired the Hospital to launch the Magic Wand Appeal to regenerate the entire children's ward and provide modern childcare facilities befitting of the ethos of the dedicated consultants and staff on the ward.

The reception area was officially opened by The Worshipful the Mayor of Winchester, Councillor Frank Pearson and attended by MP Steve Brine, young patients, their parents, staff from the ward as well as the fundraising committee from Sophie's Appeal.

This new area provides a bright, friendly and secure welcome to all visitors to the ward and provides a tantalising insight into the future development of the ward.

Consultant paediatrician Ian Rodd said: "Today is the end of the beginning. Inspired by Sophie's Place, we have started the regeneration of the children's ward which will provide a bright, welcoming facility for childcare in Winchester.

Sophie's Appeal's relationship with Northbrook Ward was started with a conversation between Dr Ian and Sophie's dad in the small hours of one dark February morning in 2004 when both shared their ideas about transforming the childcare facilities whilst Sophie was being treated on the ward.

Sophie's Appeal would like to thank both the local community and businesses that have supported our fundraising aims. Without you none of this would have been possible. Thank you.

As Ian said, 'This is the end of the beginning'. Please keep checking back to see how you can help us to continue to support this project.

SBS supports Sophie's Appeal

To mark the opening of its latest store in Eastleigh,Smith Brothers Stores Ltd has chosen to support Sophie's Appeal this coming year.

SBS Eastleigh is the newest store to open and supplies industrial pipe work and valves to the industrial mechanical sector.

Donna Le May, store Manager for Eastleigh said, ‘We are really excited to be supporting Sophie's Appeal and look forward to helping this wonderful local charity look after sick children and continue to search for a cure for childhood cancers.'

Bishopstoke Carnival

Sophie's Appeal attended the Bishopstoke Carnival with a tombola stall. Unlike last year, the weather was dry and bright, helping us to raise £80 for the charity!

The event was very well attended and the atmosphere was great. Many thanks to all that supported the charity on the day.

Six-a-side Football Tournament 2012

The Annual Six-a-Side Tournament took place at Crestwood College on Saturday 14th July. Unfortunately, as a result of the wet weather this year’s Tournament had to be scaled down as grass pitches were waterlogged. However, 7 adult teams and 5 under 16’s took part, braving the continual downpours, and raising £466.70 for Sophie’s Appeal.

The games were played in good spirit with Fuzz Buzz (see picture, top) lifting the Winners Cup for the Adults, beating S & D Old Boys 1-0. The third place battle was between AFC Spirit and My Little Ponies with AFC Spirit winning 2-1.

In the under 16’s Toynbee All Stars took first place after beating AFC Allstars B. The final was decided in extra time after a 0-0 score with Toynbee All Stars clinching the winning goal right at the end of extra time.

Our thanks go to the Officials of the day and to Crestwood College for use of their facilities.

Holiday Inn, Eastleigh raises over £300 at it's May Day Fete

The fete was organised by team members at the Holiday Inn to raise funds for Sophie's Appeal. The stalls included home-made cakes and preserves, vegetable and flower plants, a book stall and bric-a-brac. The younger visitors played hook-a-duck, tin can alley, and had their faces painted.

Sophie's Appeal would like to extend their thanks to the Holiday Inn, Eastleigh for their continued support.

Wickham Beer Festival Fundraising Frolicks

The 8th Wickham Charity Beer Festival was another resounding success thanks to the hard work of Mike, Dave and the team.

The fine weather and a selection of 40 real ales and ciders drew people in their hundreds to the Wickham Centre to enjoy live music and a wide selection of ales from breweries all over the south.

With live music and tipples such as Quiver, Crazy Daze and Sign of Spring and food courtesy of the Lions, the day was a tremendous success with thousands of pounds being raised between the three supported charities.

Thanks once again to all those who attended and everyone who worked so hard to make this event the success that it was.

Southampton Airport Tour de Forest

Staff from across the airport and their families gathered at the Burley Manor Hotel on a wet and windy Saturday morning in April to help raise much needed funds for Sophie's Appeal.

Cycling enthusiasts set off around the New Forest on a scenic, if somewhat soggy cycle ride whilst a treasure hunt was also organised around Burley Village for those not cycling.

Over £300.00 was raised on the day and with grateful thanks to the BAA Communities Trust, this could soon be match funded.

Thanks once again to all who braved the elements and also to Jan, Lucy, Trevor, Mark, Daz, Judi, Linda and the cadets from 1216 (Eastleigh) Squadron, Air Training Corps for all of their help on the day.

Girl's Night In

On Friday 2nd March, 49 guests enjoyed a relaxed evening of taster pamper sessions and a chance to shop from stalls selling handmade cards, jewellery, scarves and handbags, beauty products and much more.

The evening raised £414.36 for Sophie's Appeal. A big thank you to all who supported the evening.