Celebrate and Donate
Your celebration can help give seriously ill children the chance to celebrate more milestones of their own.
Whether you’re getting married, celebrating a big birthday, holding a naming ceremony, or hosting a party, thank you so much for including the children and families at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in your celebration. Your event is part of an incredible community helping to give seriously ill children childhoods that are fuller, funner and longer.
The simplest way to fundraise at your celebration is to ask for donations to Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity) instead of gifts. You might also like to raise money through a a quiz, raffle or other fun-raising activity on the day.
Be sure to let us know about your celebration so we can help you with fundraising ideas, preparation and bringing the fun of GOSH into your party.
For every special day
Birthdays shouldn’t happen in hospital, but if they have to, we help to make them the best they can be. Your gifts could help GOSH Charity provide vital support for seriously ill children and their families, so they can celebrate the big moments – and the small ones – even while in hospital.
Esha was just four years old when she began to feel unwell. After going to her local hospital, Esha was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer and transferred to GOSH by ambulance. The doctors at GOSH were able to find bone marrow donor to treat her illness.
“Esha had very little hope at the beginning of all this, but the doctors made sure they did everything they could to give her the best possible chance,” says Esha’s dad, Rishya.
Thanks to her treatment at GOSH, Esha is now back at home and enjoying all the fun an eight-year-old should. “Esha has been swimming again after three years,” Rishya says. “She has been on her first school trip. She loves going to school and making friends – she’s enjoying the best life she can.”
Help more kids reach their milestones – big and small – by including donations to GOSH Charity at your celebration – register now.
FAQs
What is celebrate and donate?
Celebrate and donate is a way to use your special occasion – birthday, wedding, naming ceremony, or other big occasion – to help raise funds for seriously ill children at Great Ormond Street Hospital and beyond. The simplest way is to ask for donations instead of gifts at your celebration. You could also add some fundraising to your party with a special quiz, cake sale, raffle or other fundraiser.
However you choose to fundraise at your celebration, you’ll be helping give seriously ill children childhoods that are fuller, funner and longer.
How can I fundraise at my birthday, wedding, anniversary or other special occasion?
The easiest way is to set up a JustGiving page asking for donations instead of gifts. You can include the link or a QR code in your invitations or on posters at your event, or simply share the link with family, friends and colleagues.
If you would like to add a fundraising activity to your event, check out our ideas and support.
We also have resources to help you with your event including collection boxes and envelopes, balloons and stickers. Email us to order resources.
How can I politely ask for donations instead of gifts?
The wording you choose will depend on your event and your invitations, but you might like to share why you would like donations to Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity and the impact your friends and family can make for seriously ill children. Find out more about the impact of your donations.
If you set up a JustGiving page, you can easily share the link on social media or add a QR code to your invitations so those who wish to donate can do so easily.
Will you tell me about all the money raised at my celebration?
If you request it, we can let you know the full amount raised for your celebration, but cannot tell you which individuals have donated
Will I receive a thank you letter?
Yes, unless you ask us not to, you should receive a thank you letter or email after your celebration has taken place. If you haven’t received a thank you please contact us at community.events@gosh.org so we can check for you.
Some friends and family want to support, but don’t want to donate online – how can they donate?
Donations can be made over the phone or by post. Please ask your friend or family member to include the name of your celebration when donating. To make a donation by phone call 020 3841 3131. Cheques or CAF vouchers should be made out to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity and sent to Celebrate and Donate, 40 Bernard Street, London WC1N 1LE.