St Paul’s bells ring in memory of 253 children lost to cancer every year

The historic bells at St Paul's Cathedral will today ring out in memory of the 253 children lost to cancer each year in the UK, in a unique partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity's (GOSH Charity) £300m Build it. Beat it. appeal.

In a deeply moving tribute, the cathedral bells at St Paul’s will chime throughout the morning, with families who have lost a child to cancer given the chance to ring the bells in their memory.

For many families facing a cancer diagnosis, the end of treatment bell is a powerful milestone, signifying hope, progress and the start of a new chapter. But tragically, too many children never reach that milestone. Together with St Paul’s, GOSH Charity is giving families whose children didn’t get a chance to ring the bell the opportunity to pay a heartfelt tribute to their child’s life.

The moving ceremony will begin at 8.30am with the ringing of Great Tom, the bell that chimes to mark the deaths of monarchs and statespeople. One of the last times the bell was tolled manually was to mark the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Families who have lost children to cancer will then be ringing further cathedral bells throughout the morning. A striking installation of 253 colourful butterfly sculptures – each representing a child lost to cancer – will also line Millennium Bridge, encircling St Paul’s and serving as a poignant reminder that cancer is still the biggest killer of children aged one to 14 in the UK. Butterflies are often a powerful symbol of hope, associated with the souls of loved ones who have passed on, bringing comfort and guidance to many.

Taking place during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the partnership is shining a light on the urgent need for a new Children’s Cancer Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), which GOSH Charity is raising vital funds for through its £300m Build it. Beat it. appeal.

GOSH already treats the highest number of children with cancer in the UK, but recent advances have outstripped its current facilities and it needs a new home to develop more breakthroughs.

The new cancer centre will bring together pioneering research, cutting-edge treatments and child-centred care under one roof – giving more families the hope of ringing the end of treatment bell and ensuring every child gets the best chance and childhood possible.

Gabi Field, Deputy Director of Public Fundraising at GOSH Charity, said: “The end of treatment bell is a powerful symbol of hope for many children and families at GOSH, as well as those facing a cancer diagnosis across the country. Yet, for too many, that moment never comes.

“By ringing the bells of St Paul’s throughout the morning, we are honouring the children lost to cancer each year, giving them the recognition they deserve, and ensuring they are not forgotten.

“The visual display of the beautiful butterfly artwork on the Millennium Bridge will serve as a poignant reminder of the hundreds of children diagnosed each year and the urgent need for the new Children’s Cancer Centre, a place that will offer pioneering care and help give children the best chance, and best childhood possible.”

Two-year-old Orla was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a rare cancerous brain tumour, in September 2022 after falling ill on holiday. She underwent multiple surgeries and months of chemotherapy at GOSH, spending her second birthday and Christmas on the ward, but sadly passed away in August 2023. Her family was among those at St Paul’s today, ringing the bell in Orla’s memory.

Adam, Orla’s Dad, said: “Standing in St Paul’s and ringing the bell for Orla was incredibly emotional. Orla was so amazing, beautiful, brave and endured so much for someone so young, and we carry her spirit with us every day. To be able to stand here in St Paul's, ringing the bell for her alongside others who have faced the same loss, is so important and such a special way of remembering our beautiful girl, reminding the world that she lived and that she will never be forgotten.”

The Revd Philip Banks, Canon Precentor at St Paul’s Cathedral: “Great Tom has tolled to mark numerous significant moments in our nation’s history. So today we are deeply honoured that it is chiming to mark Childhood's Cancer Awareness Month, and that bereaved families will chime bells in the North West Tower in memory of their children. We pray that this will provide these families with an opportunity to reflect and to remember, and that there will be a future when every child facing a cancer diagnosis can have the chance to ring their own end of treatment bell.”

To learn more or to donate to GOSH Charity’s Build it. Beat it. appeal and help build the new Children’s Cancer Centre at GOSH, please visit gosh.org/childrens-cancer-centre

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About Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity):

Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity) stops at nothing to help give seriously ill children childhoods that are fuller, funner and longer. For the hundreds of children from all over the UK who are treated by Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) every day, for children with rare or complex illnesses everywhere, for this generation and all those to come.

GOSH has been transforming the lives of seriously ill children since opening its doors in 1852 and has always depended on charitable support. GOSH Charity funds groundbreaking research into children’s health, cutting-edge medical equipment, child-centred medical facilities and the support services children and families going through the toughest journey of their lives urgently need.  But there is so much more we need to do.

Together with our supporters, we can give seriously ill children the best chance, and the best childhoods, possible. Because we believe no childhood should be lost to serious illness.

Join us, visit gosh.org today.

About St Paul’s Cathedral:

Designed by Sir Christopher Wren in the late 17th century, St Paul’s Cathedral is a vibrant church, a national treasure and a London icon. It is the most recent building on a site where there has been a cathedral for London for over 1400 years.

Our building provides a space for reflection, discovery, learning and debate. We welcome over a million people through our doors each year to worship and pray, to sightsee, and to attend concerts, educational events and performing arts.

Alongside dedicated clergy and staff, we are sustained by a community of volunteers who welcome visitors, lead tours, ring our bells, maintain our collections and more. We provide comfort and commemoration through our national services, and stand as an enduring symbol of hope – for those of all faiths and none.