Leeds Children's Hospital

24/08/2026

Thank you Jackson and Alex for sharing your experience of play in hospital!

"Play lets you move past some of the frightening parts of being in hospital and start living with your child again. You can have moments of enjoyment and a bit of normal family life, even while you're there." – Alex, dad to Jackson

When 11-year-old Jackson was admitted to hospital with appendicitis and needed surgery to remove his appendix, it was an anxious time for both him and his family.

Like many children facing an operation, Jackson felt worried about what was ahead.

"I was worried about having surgery, especially because everything took longer than I expected."

But through the support of hospital play, Jackson was able to focus on something other than his fears.

"Play took my mind off things."

During his recovery, play continued to make a difference.

"Because of play, I always had something to do when I was bored."

For Jackson's dad, Alex, play transformed their hospital experience too. What began as worry and uncertainty became an opportunity to spend meaningful time together and create moments of normal family life.

"Because of play, as a parent, you can move past some of the worrying things and start to enjoy time with your child. You can have a bit of life inside the hospital."

Because of Play, children like Jackson can feel less frightened, less isolated and more like themselves during a hospital stay. And because of play, parents can focus on making memories with their child, not just managing their worries.

Support our Play Team through the link: https://www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/Appeal/leeds-childrens-hospital

21/08/2026

Volunteer pianist Craig was really making the Clarendon Wing piano sing for patients and families as they arrived at Leeds Children’s Hospital this morning.

Craig became a Leeds Hospitals Charity Piano Volunteer to give something back after he received a kidney transplant at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

We asked Craig what he enjoyed about volunteering:

“I enjoy seeing people come in and smile. It’s really nice to see children and teenagers sit down and listen to take a break from their appointments and treatments.”

Huge thanks to Craig and all our Piano Volunteers who donate their time and talent to brighten up hospital visits and stays for patients, families and staff.

21/08/2026

Reflecting on Millie's remarkable legacy.

The Millie Wright Children's Charity was founded in 2022 in memory of Millie Wright who tragically passed away five years ago today, at the age of 13.

The charity, based here at Leeds Children’s Hospital, was founded by Millie’s family with a simple but powerful mission: to address inequalities in the practical, emotional and wellbeing support available to families of children living with life-threatening conditions.

Five years on, Millie’s parents Nigel and Ceri have shared their reflections on the extraordinary impact that Millie’s legacy has had on hundreds of children and families receiving care at Leeds Children’s Hospital.

The Millie Wright Children’s Charity has:

- Raised more than £500,000
- Funded 5,600 hours of support from a dedicated Family Support Worker
- Delivered ‘Saturday Suppers’ to over ten thousand families
- Funded £35,000 a year of food in parent kitchens across the hospital
- Advocated for greater play provision for children in hospital
- Supported Leeds Children’s Transplant Team at the British Transplant Games
- Built a growing community of supporters.. and lots more.

Millie’s Mum and charity Co-Founder Ceri Wright said:

“…The charity was born from our experience and our determination to make life a little easier for other families facing the unthinkable. What we've achieved over the last five years is only possible because of the incredible support we've received from fundraisers, volunteers and hospital staff. Every family we help is part of Millie's legacy, and we are immensely proud of the difference the charity has made."

We are incredibly grateful to Millie’s family and to Millie Wright Children’s Charity for everything they have achieved so far and for all the support they continue to provide to patients and families. Millie’s legacy is truly remarkable.

More information about Millie Wright Children’s Charity can be found at: www.millieschildrenscharity.org

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

19/08/2026

We are LOVING the Leeds Hospitals Charity Transplant Team Takeover stories. Here's Myla from Leeds Children's Transplant Team. What a superstar! 🌟

18/08/2026

We are LOVING the Leeds Hospitals Charity Transplant Team Takeover stories. Here's Finn from Leeds Children's Transplant Team 🥇

18/08/2026

Check out these lovely moments from our visit from Mr Whippy Leeds last week. Summer treats like this are possible thanks to donations to Leeds Hospitals Charity.

12/08/2026

If you're planning to observe the solar eclipse with children and young people today, check out these helpful safety tips from UK Health Security Agency and plan ahead to make sure eyes are protected 🌞🌝😎

11/08/2026

Thanks to donations to Leeds Hospitals Charity, staff and patients at Leeds Children's Hospital had a visit from Mr Whippy Leeds this afternoon 🍦

The ice cream van arrived just in time as temperatures are set soar this week! 🌞

Patients and siblings enjoyed free ice creams in the sunshine. Hospital staff ran a delivery service for those patients unable to leave the wards.

11/08/2026

Highlights from Day 4 at the British Transplant Games!

The British Transplant Games in Sheffield has come to a close and Leeds Children's Transplant Team families have headed home after an amazing weekend of transplant sport, raising awareness of organ donation and building lasting friendships.

Day 4 was all about athletics. Here are some highlights from track and field events including tug-of-war and the 25m sprint for under fives.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Leeds Hospitals Charity
Transplant Active - Home of the British Transplant Games

Photo credit: Richard Hall

10/08/2026

On Saturday evening Leeds Children's Transplant Team, transplant families and volunteers from Leeds Children's Hospital took part in the Donor Run in Sheffield, part of the 2026 British Transplant Games.

The Donor Run is a fun run to help raise awareness of the NHS Organ Donor Register, benefits of organ transplantation, and the Anthony Nolan Register while paying tribute to the Live Donors and Donor Families who have given the gift of life.

More than 8,000 people in the UK currently need a transplant including children and young people.

Well done to everyone who took part in the donor run!

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Leeds Hospitals Charity
Transplant Active - Home of the British Transplant Games

Photo credit: Richard Hall