Four of the UK's best-loved children's hospitals are joining forces with Oxfam to create a unique partnership that will collect clothes, books, music and homewares from people's houses and ensure that 100 per cent of the profits stay in the charity sector.

The charitable arms of Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital and The Children's Hospital, Sheffield have all signed up to be part of Oxfam's new charity bag collection scheme. 

The scheme will collect in areas close to the hospitals with the revenue raised from local supporters going directly to help their local children's hospital. Every bag of donated items will help these specialist children's hospitals provide vital research and equipment to help treat sick children in the UK and support Oxfam's work with people living in poverty around the world.

In the past hospitals have had to use commercial contractors to make the collections and sell the donated materials to generate money for them. By working with Oxfam's brand new house-to-house collection service, the hospitals are able to both increase the amount of money they raise per item donated and to assure people making donations that every penny of profit goes to charity.

The scheme supported by Britian's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden, said: "Oxfam's house-to-house collection scheme is one I support and really is the first of its kind to benefit charities 100%. It keeps the money raised in the charity sector, meaning however small or large your donation you can be sure that every last penny will go to a great cause. By simply donating your items, you will be helping to raise much-needed funds for Oxfam's work in the fight against poverty, whilst ensuring four of the UK's leading children's hospital can provide additional equipment and high quality medical research which really will make a difference to the lives of sick children." 

Collection bags will be sent out to homes in areas connected to the hospitals four times a year for supporters to fill and Oxfam to collect and sort at their Wastesaver recycling plant before being sold to generate maximum value. Each hospital's collection will be in clearly marked bags and when it arrives at Oxfam it will be weighed and the relevant hospital will receive £75 per tonne.

David Vernon-Edwards, Director of The Children's Hospital Charity, speaking on behalf of the four children's hospitals, said:"We are all very excited to be working on this very innovative partnership with Oxfam. Fundraising is essential for all four hospitals as they continue to provide the best possible care for the UK's most seriously ill children. Just one bag of collected goods will go a long way to providing vital equipment and research for sick children."

David McCullough, Trading Director at Oxfam, said:
'This is a groundbreaking new scheme and allows people to have absolute confidence that 100 per cent of the profit from their donations is going to support good causes both in the UK and in the developing world. The hospitals get a better deal from items collected for them, and Oxfam is able to generate money to tackle poverty. It's a win-win.'

Look out for these collection bags in your area soon and help raise these much needed funds.

Presenters and news teams from Real Radio will be taking part in the 37 mile Manchester to Liverpool Bike Unite for Children on Sunday 28th June and it looks as though training is going well. The cycling event is part of their North West Children's Appeal this year which supports Alder Hey Imagine Appeal and the New Children's Hospital Appeal for Manchester. Real Radio have already raised a staggering £32, 262 for the hospitals with their highly successful Bring £1 to work day.

Bike Unite for Children has been jointly organised by Alder Hey Imagine Appeal and the New Children's Hospital Appeal who are delighted that the Real Radio crew including Breakfast presenter Salty, Hometime's Scott and Glenn, and David Heane are joined by Real Radio Programme Director Dave Shearer and members of the news team on the trek. Additional celebrity supporters will be cycling along including actor and TV presenter Simon O'Brien who now presents To Buy or not to Buy on BBC1 and Olympic cyclist Paul Manning.

Alder Hey's doctors and nurses are also taking part in Bike Unite for Children and the busy A & E department have put a team of four girls forward. 

Tracey Wileman, Emergency Nurse Practitioner from A & E explained,

'Sometimes it can be very difficult motivating yourself to exercise after a busy shift, so by training and participating in Bike Unite it helps me keep fit whilst raising money for Alder Hey a hospital that provides an excellent service to local children and their families.'

The capacity is still not full so why not join them?

Actor and presenter Simon O'Brien who shot to fame in Liverpool's legendary TV soap Brookside is backing Alder Hey Children's Hospital in the first ever Bike Unite for Children on 28th June 2009 and he wants the North-West to 'Get on your bike' for children! Simon is currently presenting 'To Buy Or Not To Buy' on BBC 1 and Saturday Breakfast on CityTalk Radio right here in the Northwest.

Bike Unite for Children is organised by Alder Hey Imagine Appeal who has joined forces with Manchester Children's Hospital for the inaugural event which takes place on 28th June 2009. Cyclists will set off in Manchester and travel 37 miles along the Trans-Pennine Way to Calderstones Park in Liverpool.

Simon O'Brien who is well known for his love of cycling explained, 

'I decided to use a bike to get around because of my concerns about the future of the Planet and it seems perfectly natural to me for Alder Hey and Manchester Children's Hospital holding a bike ride to raise money because these fantastic hospitals help the next generation have the best possible future and what healthier way to help improve children's health than a great day out in the saddle. I also think it is fortunate we are starting in Manchester and heading to Liverpool as this will allow us Scousers to, once more, show our illustrious Mancunian neighbours the way.'  

Laura Gartshore, Specialist Registrar at Alder Hey has already signed up for her place as part of her year long mission to raise money for Alder Hey Imagine Appeal. Only Laura didn't stop with Bike Unite for Children she's signed herself up for an additional ten marathons! 

Laura who is excited about taking part for Alder Hey Imagine Appeal said,

'Alder Hey is an incredible place to work. The staff strive so hard each day on behalf of our little visitors. After signing up for my 10 charity runs this year I was looking for a final event to enter which involved something other than running! Bike Unite is perfect and I'm really looking forward to the challenge and crossing the finish line in Liverpool - I just hope I can cycle 37 miles without getting a puncture!'

You can give Laura your support at www.justgiving.com/lauraruns2009

Bike Unite for Children will bond hundreds of supporters cycling for thousands of children in the North-West. The entry fee is £35 per person which includes transport to Manchester for the participant and their bicycle. Places are strictly limited with only 500 available and capacity is expected to fill up fast.  The race is now on between the two hospitals to fill up their places and Alder Hey are hoping to reach their quota before their Manchester counterparts and need the support of local bike riders if they are to do this.

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We have a new visitor staying at the hospital!   

Anton has been kindly donated to wards B1 and D1 by the Academy of excellence in Customer Care. The Academy was an innovative approach to improving customer care within Liverpool. Anton came all the way from France to visit his English cousin and his name means 'Priceless'.   

Phil Carter and Mike Meaney from the organlsation felt it was time that Anton was put out to pasture and thought that Alder Hey hospital would be the perfect place. Anton can be found in the waiting area for wards D1 & B1.      With tens of thousands of people passing through the ward every year, Anton is bound to bring a smile to the facea of those waiting to be seen.   

The nurses have promised to take good care of Anton, feed him and clean out his stable. If you are around the wards go and have a look for yourself.