Chainbridge Medical Partnership, Newcastle – Notional Rent Review

Chainbridge Medical Partnership Notional Rent Review

 

Successful Notional Rent reviews deliver significant increases for Chainbridge Medical Partnership

 

Chainbridge Medical Partnership in Newcastle comprises a main surgery and two branch practices. The partnership has been a client of GP Surveyors since 2008, during this time GP Surveyors have carried out multiple successful Notional Rent reviews and provided Market Valuations for the Partners. GP Surveyors’ recent cases have seen further success.

Premises Inspection

Charlotte Wilkinson conducted a comprehensive inspection of the premises, including measuring the property, drawing up a floorplan, photo-documenting the standard of the premises, and confirming the use of all floor space with the practice.

Rent Review Process

After compiling her findings, Charlotte cross-checked the proposed rent figure against GP Surveyors’ extensive database of comparable evidence. This analysis revealed sufficient grounds to challenge the District Valuer’s initial opinion.

Key factors included:

  • Low unit rate for the practice property and car parking
  • Inaccurate floor areas
Negotiations and Outcome

Charlotte presented her case to the District Valuer, exchanging floorplans, measurements, and evidence.

Following a joint onsite inspection by our Surveyor, Charlotte Wilkinson, and the District Valuer. The District Valuer agreed to an increase in unit rate for the practice and car parking, as well as an adjustment in floor areas from the CMR6 offer.

Charlotte’s efforts resulted in a 5.6% increase in notional rent, amounting to tens of thousands of pounds in additional funding for the practice over the three-year rental period.

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Sunniside Surgery – Branch

The successful outcome of Charlotte’s case led to the partnership contacting GP Surveyors to review the rent of their branch site, Sunniside Surgery. This review was taken on by our Director of Surveying Clare Kersey, who secured a 3.19% increase in rent.

We are happy to report that these rental increases have significantly boosted the partnerships’ annual income and enhanced the investment value of the properties.

Review your GP practices Notional Rent

We hope you have found our Newcastle Notional Rent cases useful, see practices case studies from your area here.

If you would like GP Surveyors to carry out a Notional Rent review for your practice, or you have any further questions please contact our team today.

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Annfield Plain Surgery, County Durham – Notional Rent Review

First Notional Rent review a great success

GP Surveyors recently had the pleasure of working with Annfield Plain Surgery in Stanley, County Durham, on their Notional Rent review. Practice Manager Christine Serifoglu sought our expertise to ensure their rent was in line with neighbouring practices.

Our Director of Surveying, Clare Kersey, took the lead on this case. Clare’s objective was clear, to ascertain if Annfield Plain had received a fair rental offer from the District Valuer. And she did just that!

Inspection of the Premises

The first step in the process was a detailed inspection of Annfield Plain Surgery. Clare took comprehensive measurements of the entire building and photo-documented every aspect of the premises. This thorough approach ensured that no detail was overlooked and provided a solid foundation for the review.

Comparable Evidence

On her return to the office, Clare compiled all her findings from the inspection. She then cross-checked the practice’s proposed notional rent figure against GP Surveyors’ vast database of comparable evidence, of similar practices in the locality. This step is crucial to ascertain if the surgery had a case to challenge the District Valuer’s notional rent valuation. By comparing similar premises in the locality, Clare identified several factors that formed her challenge of the District Valuers valuation. Armed with this information, Clare began her negotiations with the District Valuer.

Negotiations

With all the necessary comparable data in hand, Clare engaged in detailed negotiations with the District Valuer.

The discussions were focused on three factors:

  1. Floor Areas – increasing the area eligible for rental reimbursement
  2. Unit Rate – increasing the price per square metre the practice receives
  3. Car Parking rate – increasing the price per car parking space the practice is reimbursed.
The Result

Clare successfully negotiated an increase in the floor areas eligible for notional rental reimbursement. This meant that more of the surgery’s space was recognised as being eligible for reimbursement.

She also secured an upward adjustment to the floor and car parking unit rates for the surgery, aligning it with practices in the area.

Thanks to Clare’s expertise and persistence, GP Surveyors achieved a fantastic outcome for Annfield Plain Surgery. Their Notional Rent was increased by an impressive 9.8%! The surgery now receives a fair rent when compared to neighbouring practices.

This successful negotiation highlights GP Surveyors commitment to delivering exceptional value to our clients. With Clare Kersey’s expert negotiation skills and GP Surveyors’ unrivalled comparable evidence, Annfield Plain Surgery received a significant boost to their income.

 

Review your GP practices Notional Rent

We hope you have found our County Durham GP practice Notional Rent case useful, see practices case studies from your area here.

If you would like GP Surveyors to carry out a Notional Rent review for your practice, or you have any further questions please contact our team today.

Happy Retirement Paul

Bidding a fond farewell!

After 18 years at GP Surveyors, we have bidden a fond farewell to Paul Hardman, one of our longest-serving team members, who has called time on his Client Management career.

Paul has helped hundreds of surgeries with thousands of cases over the years, with a wide variety of valuations, rent reviews and lease consultations. We are sure that all our clients will agree that Paul has been a great Client Manager who has always gone above and beyond to help them.

The whole team gave Paul a proper send off at his leaving do, where Jacqui Johnson (Operations Director) delivered this heartfelt speech:

“Let me take you back to  2007…Gordon Brown replaces Tony Blair as Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party, Steve jobs launched the first iPhone, the final episode of The Sopranos aired, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the 7th and final book in the series, is published, Wembley stadium was reopened, but more importantly, Mr Hardman joined GP Surveyors!

Since then, Paul has seen team changes, office changes, office amalgamations, wild Christmas parties and possibly the biggest change, the time Andrew dyed his hair!

On behalf of all the Directors, Andrew, Chris and I want to thank you for your commitment to GP Surveyors and your dedication and hard work. I know all the Doctors and Practice Managers that you’ve helped over the last 18 years are going to miss you, but please believe me when I say, I personally am also. It’s now time for you to start a new chapter in the Hardman book of life, and I know everyone wishes you all the best for this.

So on behalf of Andrew Chris and the rest of us at GP Surveyors… thank you, Paul and have a long and wonderful retirement.”

Paul has left behind a legacy of professionalism, kindness, and dedication that will be remembered for years to come. All the GP Surveyors team wish Paul a happy retirement, watching cricket, playing guitar and enjoying all those holidays in Greece!

Church Lane Medical Centre – sale case study

Church Lane Medical Centre Lincolnshire Sale

Sale and Leaseback - GP Surveyors

Church Lane Medical Centre in Lincolnshire, a successful purpose-built practice, was owned by four GP Partners who had retired and wanted to release their equity from the sale of their GP property.

When the partners retired from practising, they engaged GP Surveyors to establish a lease agreement with themselves as landlords and the remaining practising GPs as tenants.

GP Surveyors consulted both the retiring partners (landlords) and the remaining practice doctors (tenants) to determine their lease requirements. The retiring partners aimed to maintain investment value, while the incoming partners sought a lease that the NHS body would approve as value for money for financial assistance applications under the Premises Cost Directions.

Once the Heads of Terms were agreed upon and signed by all the retiring partners, they were sent to solicitors to draft the lease. The lease was then finalised and successfully passed through the NHS lease approval process. Ensuring that there would be no shortfall in rent, between the NHS’s reimbursement and the rent paid to the landlords.

Having let the practice for a year the landlords approached GP Surveyors for advice on the potential sale of Church Lane Medical Centre. The landlords met with Rebecca Reynard (GP Surveyors, Director) for a comprehensive consultation on their options.

After confirming that the current tenants did not wish to purchase the practice and discussing their situation and requirements with Rebecca, the partners decided to proceed with a straightforward sale on the open market. GP Surveyors were instructed to move forward on this basis.

GP Surveyors began marketing the surgery, creating bespoke sales literature that included a detailed investment breakdown, photographs, and floor plans of the property, along with the lease details. The sales literature for Church Lane Medical Centre was then distributed to GP Surveyors’ extensive database of over three hundred specialist primary care investors and listed on their website.

Several suitable offers were received, and Rebecca began negotiations with potential buyers to ensure the best outcome for the partners. After financially qualifying the interested parties’ final bids, Rebecca presented them to the partners, advising on which offer would be most beneficial. The partners ultimately accepted the offer from a private investor, Mr Bodalia, who owned other primary care premises. Rebecca managed the process through to completion and exchange.

Upon completion, Mr Bodalia commented:

“I worked with Rebecca recently, who was very efficient and helpful. I managed to complete my purchase transaction in record time because of the efficiency with which the team worked. I have also recently had rent valuations done, by the team. Again, an excellent experience. I would recommend the team at GP Surveyors very highly.”

GP Surveyors’ management of the sale of Church Lane Medical Centre, achieved a price that exceeded the asking price, much to the landlords’ satisfaction. The GP tenants continued to practice at the premises under the existing lease, with the assurance that the lease rent would be reimbursed by the NHS body.

GP Surveyors hope you found our Church Lane Medical Centre case study a useful resource, find out more about our Sale and Leaseback service here.

Kidney Disease: We need your help!

Kidney disease affects more than 7 million people in the UK, yet it was largely overlooked in the Government’s new 10-year health plan for the NHS. Without action, it could place an unsustainable burden on patients, families, and NHS services.

The cause is close to our hearts here at GP Surveyors as Sidney, Rebecca Reynard’s  (Director of Agency and Sales) son and Jacqui and Chris Johnson’s (Company Directors) grandson, was born with stage five chronic kidney disease and is currently awaiting a transplant.

We are joining with the UK Kidney Association, Kidney Care UK, the National Kidney Federation and the PKD Charity to support the call for a national strategy on kidney disease.

A national strategy would help early detection, prevention, and fair access to treatment. The strategy would also deliver personalised care and ensure the urgent steps needed to prevent the growth of kidney disease. This really can improve people’s quality of life, save lives and protect NHS resources.

Add your name to the petition at ukkidney.org.

 

Is sale & leaseback an option for your GP Practice?

GP practice sale and leaseback

With many GP practices struggling to recruit new partners and many GPs taking early retirement, GP practice Sale and Leaseback is fast becoming the solution of choice for partnerships having to make decisions about their property.

What is a GP practice Sale and Leaseback?

Sale and Leaseback is the sale of a premises freehold to an investor and a lease being put in place between said investor and the GP partners. The partners continue to occupy the premises and the surgery continues to provide medical services as per their contract.

How can Sale and Leaseback help alleviate GP practice succession issues?

Navigating partnership change and recruiting new partners are major issues facing many surgeries today and can prove to be complex obstacles to overcome. The good news is, the Sale and Leaseback of your surgery could alleviate these issues, as;

  • new partners don’t have to buy into the property, thus reducing your surgeries recruitment issues
  • existing owning partners can release their equity from the premises
  • partners could have more flexibility over their retirement age, without the complications of selling their share.
  • Should your practice accept a direct offer to purchase your surgery?

Your surgery may have received a direct offer from a private company looking to purchase your premises. While this may seem like an attractive proposition, there are additional benefits to putting your property on the open market with a specialist primary care agent and letting them manage the Sale and Leaseback of your surgery.

The additional benefits of a managed sale & leaseback service, include;
  • the prospect of a higher sale price being obtained on the open market – the market is currently buoyant as there is high demand and short supply
  • putting a lease in place that guarantees your NHS income covers your rental outgoings, with lease terms that are practice led not private company led
  • the entire Sale and Leaseback process is managed for you; from inspection meeting, through to completion, with the aim of securing your surgery the best price for the property.

If your GP practice is considering the Sale & Leaseback of your surgery, the healthcare property market is currently very buoyant as there are a high number of investors actively looking to purchase and a short supply, making this a favourable time to sell.

For more information on our Sale and Leaseback service and to get in touch see our service page.

GP Property and Retirement Guide

Your Guide to GP Property & Retirement

Whether you are fast approaching retirement or just have an eye on the future, it pays to know the options available to you regarding your practice property. Please fill in a few details and your guide will download.

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    Meet GP Surveyors new Directors of Sales and Surveying

    GP Surveyors is excited to announce the promotion of  Rebecca Reynard and Clare Kersey, to Directors.

    Rebecca Reynard has been appointed as the Director of Agency and Sales. During Rebecca’s eight years at GP Surveyors as a Business Development Manager, she has worked across GP Surveyors’ entire portfolio of services. Rebecca has managed practices’ cases from across the UK, including rent reviews, market valuations, leases, and pharmacies, and become the firm’s specialist in GP practice Sales and Leasebacks. She is highly experienced in liaising with an array of key industry stakeholders including, healthcare solicitors, investors, the NHS, ICBs and pharmacy operators. With Rebecca’s breadth of experience, knowledge and skills GP Surveyors are confident that our Client Management team will go from strength to strength and with it the delivery of our specialist services.

    Rebecca Reynard: “I am thrilled to take on this new role and look forward to continuing to drive our client management and services to new heights.”

    Clare has been appointed as the – Director of Valuations and Surveying. During Clare’s eight years at GP Surveyors, she has risen from Senior Surveyor to Associate Director and now Director. Clare Kersey has a wealth of experience and knowledge spanning the primary care property sector. She has worked across GP Surveyors’ portfolio of services delivering a vast array of valuations, rent reviews and lease consultations to practices across the UK. Clare is practised in working with all industry stakeholders from District Valuers and the NHS to Solicitors and pharmacy owners. With over 20 years of experience as a Chartered Surveyor and RICS registered valuer, GP Surveyors are certain that our surveying team is under the best possible leadership and will continue to provide first-rate services.

    Clare Kersey: “I am excited about the opportunities ahead and am committed to further enhancing our valuations and surveying services.”

    GP Surveyors are looking forward to a bright future in the safe hands of our two new Directors. Congratulations to Rebecca and Clare.

    Horton Bank Top Surgery, West Yorkshire – Sold

    Sold

    Summary

    The sale of this West Yorkshire medical centre offers a fantastic investment opportunity.

    Investment Summary

    GP Practice
    • Initial rent: £50,700  per annum
    • Next rent review date: February 2025
    • Patient list size: 8,000
    • FTE GPs: 4
    • Lease: Tenants internal repair lease (TIR)
    – Term: 15 year term (from completion date)
    – Rent reviews: every 3 years

    Pharmacy
    • Initial rent: £28,5000  per annum
    • Lease: Expires 31st July 2027

    Key Property Features

    • Floor areas
    Ground floor: 292.5 sqm
    First floor:  79.71 sqm
    • Car parking spaces: 22
    • Building type: 1991 purpose built

    Description

    Horton Bank Top Surgery is a two-story, brick-and-tile constructed, purpose-built medical centre with a ground floor area of 292.5 square metres, including the Pharmacy. The first floor, has a floor area of 79.71 square metres. The original building was constructed around 1991. The practice is part of a wider partnership model.

    The surgery consists of a main entrance leading to a lobby, to the left of the lobby is the practice waiting area, and to the right is the Pharmacy. The waiting area is a full-height space, providing a bright spacious area for patients to wait. Behind the reception desk is a large office. Two consultancy rooms are accessible directly from the waiting area as well as a patient bathroom. The rest of the practice is situated to the left of the waiting room. Leaving the waiting room a corridor to the left brings you to six more consultancy rooms. A further corridor straight off the waiting area leads to three more consultancy rooms and two bathrooms to the far end of the building.

    The first floor is 79.71 square metre of space for staff. You can access the floor via an internal staircase which is situated near the staff entrance of the building. The five rooms on the floor consist of a common room to the front of the property, a bathroom, and an office, which provides access to an adjacent office and records storeroom.

    Floorplan

    Click the floorplan to enlarge.

    Contact

    Rebecca Reynard
    Business Development Manager

    0114 281 5850
    [email protected]

    Please note GP Surveyors Anti-Money Laundering Policy for Clients and Purchasers.

    GP Surveyors gives notice to anyone who may read these particulars as follows:
    1. These particulars are prepared for the guidance only of prospective purchasers. They are intended to give a fair overall description of the property but are not indeed to constitute part of an offer or contract.
    2. Any information contained herein (whether in text or photographs) is given in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation of fact.
    3. Nothing in these particulars shall be deemed to be a statement that the property is in good condition or otherwise nor that any services or facilities are in good working order.
    4. The photographs appearing in this brochure show only parts and aspects of the property at the time when the photographs were taken. Certain aspects may have changed since the photographs were taken and it should not be assumed that the property remains precisely as displayed in the photographs. Furthermore, no assumptions should be made in respect of parts of the property which are not shown in the photographs.
    5. Any areas, measurements or distances referred to herein are approximate only.
    6. Where there is a reference in these particulars to the fact that the
    alterations have been carried out or that a particular use is made of any part of the property this is not intended to be a statement that any necessary planning regulations or other consents have been obtained and these matters must be verified by any intending purchaser.
    7. Descriptions of a property are inevitably subjective and the descriptions contained herein are used in good faith as an option and not by way of statement or fact.
    8. All areas quoted are expressed as Net Internal Area (NIA) in accordance with the RICS Code of Measuring Practice 6th Edition and Guidance Note 60.
    9. All prices and rents are exclusive of VAT but may be liable at the prevailing rate.

    Celebrating 25 years of helping GP practices

    GP Surveyors 25 Years

    This year marks a significant milestone for GP Surveyors as we celebrate our 25th year of providing specialist GP property solutions to GP practices. To commemorate this special year, we are delighted to offer all practices, complimentary access to our expert property advice.

    Since GP Surveyors was founded in 2000, the company have grown from a team of two surveyors, Chris Johnson, and Andrew O’Dowd to a dedicated team of 16, serving 3,400 practices across the UK. We have thoroughly enjoyed the past 24 years of helping GP practices with their property needs and hope that the initiatives mentioned below will prove to be valuable resources for practices. It has been a pleasure meeting and working with so many GP Partners and Practice Managers, and we look forward to continuing our journey with many more in the coming years.

    GP Property Webinars

    Free GP Property Webinars

    Throughout our 25th year, our team of specialist primary care surveyors and business development experts will be hosting a series of property webinars. Our GP property webinars will cover a wide range of pertinent issues and are specifically designed for GP Partners and Practice Managers. Each webinar will address key topics in primary care property and ample time will be allocated for Q&A sessions to address the unique situations faced by practices.

    Join our experts throughout the year for engaging and informative discussions on topics such as planning for partnership changes, primary care leases, Notional Rent, and more. In addition to our own webinars, we will be collaborating with various Local Medical Committees (LMCs) and other industry specialists to bring you the best primary care property webinars.

    See our current webinars and reserve your spot. Additional webinars will be available throughout the year.

    GP Property Consultation

    Free Consultations  

    Our team of GP property experts is available to provide practices with one-on-one bespoke advice at a time that suits you. Whether you need to discuss an upcoming partnership change, your practice lease, Notional Rent, pharmacy, or any other primary care property-related matter, we are here to help. Simply let us know your topic of interest, book a date and time, and one of our team members will call you to share their primary care sector knowledge and answer all your questions.

    Secure your consultation slot today.

    GP Property and Retirement Guide

    Free GP Property & Retirement Guide

    With an increasing number of partners retiring or planning to retire, many practices will undergo partnership changes in the coming year. To assist with these transitions and succession planning, GP Surveyors have developed a comprehensive GP property and retirement guide for partners and Practice Managers. This guide helps practices navigate their property options based on their specific circumstances and discover available solutions and benefits. Whether your practice is facing an imminent partnership change or planning for the future, it is wise to be informed about the choices available regarding GP property.

    Download your GP property and retirement guide.

    Changes to the Notional Rent appeals time limits

    Notional Rent Appeals Time Limits

    GP Surveyors examine the change to Notional Rent appeals time limits in the Premises Cost Directions 2024 and advise practices on how to proceed with their Notional Rent reviews.

    In future, a practice’s notional rent notification letter (CMR6) is likely to include a 12-week deadline to accept or dispute the determination, alongside a reference to the Premises Cost Directions 2024. This refers to clause 43.3 of the new Directions. GP Surveyors’ understanding of this clause is that NHS England will continue to reimburse the practice’s previous Notional Rent (unless the determination is lower) until the practice accepts the new assessment or a challenge is concluded.

    Should a practice accept or challenge after the 12-week deadline, there is a provision in the Directions that a longer period may be agreed upon between the Contractor and NHS England. The criteria required to agree upon a longer period is currently unclear.

    Under the previous Directions (2004 and 2013), GP Surveyors successfully challenged the implementation of 12-week deadlines, as the policy conflicts with The National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) Regulations. In 2015 the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) confirmed that GP practices do in fact, have three years to refer a notional rent dispute to the Secretary of State (NHSLA). As the 2024 Directions only came into effect on 10 May 2024 it is uncertain how Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) will seek to impose the 12-week deadline or if they can.

    Owing to the uncertainty around the new Directions our advice is to adhere to the 12-week deadline and send your figures letters (CMR6) to a specialist healthcare surveyor as soon as you receive them. We would also advise practices to continue to seek reviews of any notional rent figures that the surgery has not formally accepted in writing.

    Obtaining an independent review of your Notional Rent figures, from a specialist surveyor is still the only way to ensure GP practices are receiving a fair notional rent. Contact our team today with any queries about Notional Rent appeal time limits or to begin your Notional Rent review.

    A GP Landlords complete guide to Rent Reviews

    GP Landlord Rent Review

    If you are a landlord of a GP surgery, it is crucial to ascertain if the lease rent you are receiving is set at an appropriate level when undertaking a rent review.

    Review the lease

    An initial comprehensive analysis of the lease is imperative, particularly focusing on the rent review clause. If there is a rent review clause this should state the frequency of the review and the specific timelines to serve notice. Typically, this will be every three to five years from the date the lease was signed. Failure to serve a rent review notice within the designated timeframe can prevent the rent review from taking place and result in no rental increase.

    Benefits of Reviews

    Typically, rent reviews are scheduled as stipulated in the lease. Landlords have the prerogative to initiate this review, to ensure the rent aligns with the market. Undertaking a rent review not only has the potential to increase rental income but can also enhance the property’s value.

    Types of Rent Reviews

    Rent reviews generally fall into two categories: Retail Price Index (RPI) and Market Rent. If the lease specifies an RPI-based review, the valuation is usually formulaic, as defined in the clause. Conversely, if it is based on open market rent, a negotiated agreement between landlord and tenant representatives is essential to determine the appropriate rental value.

    Assessing Open Market Rent

    When reviewing open market rent, it is essential to scrutinise the rent review clause to understand how the property is to be valued at review. An in-depth market analysis of comparable properties in the vicinity will offer insights into whether the current rent aligns with the market, considering factors like age, dimensions, and quality, may be necessary.

    Upward and Downward Review Clauses

    It’s noteworthy that some rent review clauses are “upwards only,” which is favourable for landlords since it eliminates the risk of reduced rent. Conversely, leases with both upward and downward review clauses necessitate a meticulous assessment of the estimated rental value.

    Collaboration with the NHS

    Many GP practice leases involve GP tenants who receive rent reimbursements from the NHS. Therefore, it’s pivotal to collaborate with the tenant to guarantee that any rent reimbursement remains aligned with the NHS rental reimbursement. Typically, this involves forwarding the rent review notice or memorandum to the relevant NHS body, they will then engage a District Valuer or an equivalent representative for a rent assessment.

    Dispute Resolution

    While most reviews are negotiated amicably in the first instance, the lease should ideally contain a dispute resolution mechanism.

    The Role of a Healthcare Surveyor

    Given the intricate nuances of the rent review process and the importance of comparable rental evidence in the healthcare sector, enlisting a specialist healthcare surveyor is essential. Their expertise ensures a thorough review process, culminating in an equitable and optimal outcome.

     

     

    Your GP Landlord Rent Review

    If you require assistance with your GP landlord rent review please contact our team.

    Sheffield Children’s Hospital Snowflakes raise £430k

    GP Surveyors are proud to have helped The Children’s Hospital Charity Snowflake Appeal celebrate its 20th year, by sponsoring one of their snowflakes. The snowflakes have been switched on and are bringing festive cheer throughout South Yorkshire by illuminating multiple buildings across the region. 

    GP Surveyors chose to support the charity again this year because of the amazing work that all the staff undertake. Unfortunately, several of the team have had cause to need this fantastic care this year, with one of the team being a regular visitor for the past few years.

    Little Sidney, the son of Rebecca Reynard (Business Development Manager) and Grandson of Jacqui and Chris Johnson (Directors), was born with stage five chronic kidney disease and has required multiple visits to the hospital. He has always received first-rate care and the whole family has been provided with fantastic support.

    Rebecca Reynard – GP Surveyors
    “The Children’s Hospital have given me and my family so much, we just wanted to give something back and contribute towards helping others and what better way than to bring a bit of Christmas cheer with a twinkly snowflake!”

    The big Snowflake switch-on took place on Monday 2nd of December with dozens of beautiful snowflakes lighting up the Sheffield Children’s Hospital. It was a fantastic festive occasion with the pavements outside the hospital, packed with well-wishers.

    What began as four snowflake decorations on the Sheffield Children’s Hospital building in 2004 has grown massively over the last two decades. This year nearly five hundred Snowflakes are spread across the region.

    The twinkling snowflakes are illuminating many buildings, including the Ryegate Children’s Centre, the Becton Centre for Children and Young People, Sheffield City Hall, St John’s Church, Owlerton Stadium, the Homes-by-Holmes building in Chesterfield, The Centre in Brinsworth and Woodhouse Community Hub and Library. This year due to popular demand the organisers have added new locations at Vicar Lane in Chesterfield, The Moor, and the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park.

    John Armstrong | Sheffield Children’s Hospital – Chief Executive
    “It is such a big part of our year here at Sheffield Children’s and it raises a huge amount… This year raising over £430,000 to help support Sheffield Children’s. It was a fantastic turnout, we had one of our biggest-ever crowds here watching the switch-on, and it is just fantastic, that the whole of Sheffield wants to get involved.”

    This year’s snowflake appeal has been an immense success, seeing a whopping £434,000 raised to date, which will be going towards the building of the new National Centre for Child Health Technology. In total, the snowflake appeal has raised well over £2.9m for Sheffield Children’s Hospital since it first began in 2004.

    Ruth Brown | Sheffield Children’s Hospital Trust – Chief Executive
    “Snowflakes switch on day, is a momentous day in our calendar every year. They are a beacon of hope. To everybody who supports us, individuals, businesses, schools, families, and everybody who has sponsored a snowflake, it means everything… they are sponsored by special people. To the children, the families, the people of Sheffield and far beyond, I know it means a lot to everybody.”

     

    To support The Children’s Hospital Charity this Christmas visit their website. There are numerous ways you can get involved and a fantastic online shop for Crimbo pressies!