Breaking ground event marks construction starting at the Grayken Family Children's Cancer Centre
5 Jun 2025, 5:22 p.m.
On 3 June 2025, we were joined by GOSH Charity supporters, hospital staff and a patient family to celebrate the start of construction on the Children’s Cancer Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).
GOSH CEO Mat Shaw and GOSH Charity CEO Louise Parkes took part in the ceremonial breaking ground moment, using shovels specially painted by children from the hospital.
From confetti cannons to live music and heartfelt speeches, the celebratory event marked a major milestone in our Build it. Beat it. appeal – made possible by our incredible supporters.
‘It’s brilliant to see the appeal move into this exciting new chapter’ – Jason Isaacs
Actor Jason Isaacs, a long-term supporter of GOSH Charity, joined us at the breaking ground event to celebrate this important step forward in the Children’s Cancer Centre build.
“Through Peter Pan initially, and then Harry Potter, I’ve been lucky enough to be connected with Great Ormond Street Hospital, and the genuinely magical things that happen there, for over 20 years, so it's brilliant to be here today to see its Build it. Beat it. appeal move into this exciting new chapter,” he said.
“This world-leading centre will help transform the lives of seriously ill children and I cannot wait to see its plans take shape.”
Tim Peake and Jason Isaacs
We were also thrilled to be joined by astronaut and GOSH Charity supporter Tim Peake, who spoke about the exciting potential of the new centre.
“It is a real privilege to be attending this breaking ground event, which is a huge milestone in the construction of the new Children's Cancer Centre,” he said.
“Throughout my career, I’ve seen some of the incredible things we can achieve when science, innovation and teamwork come together. This new cancer centre will do just that, combining world-class expertise under one roof to give more children the chance of a brighter future. I hope this fantastic initiative gets the support it deserves.”
A milestone for children’s cancer care
After four months of expert work to deconstruct the existing building, GOSH's building contractor, Sisk, will now start the construction of the Children’s Cancer Centre.
The fantastic teams will begin by digging the basement floors, then it will be onwards and upwards until the world-leading centre is complete.
The new centre will increase capacity by 20% and will include digitally advanced inpatient wards tailored to children with cancer, a new critical care unit and a new hospital school. With the latest imaging equipment, such as the UK’s only dedicated PET-CT scanner for children, as well as green spaces and a roof garden, it's set to transform cancer care at GOSH.
At the event, GOSH CEO Mat Shaw commented on the difference the new centre will make before thanking each supporter of the Build it. Beat it. appeal.
“The Children’s Cancer Centre will make a difference to every child who comes to GOSH, and particularly, it will help us advance how we care and treat children who have rare and complex cancers.
“A massive thank you to everyone who is supporting the Build it. Beat it. appeal – we couldn’t do this without you. We are particularly grateful to our principal donors, the Grayken family, as well as other Founder Partners and Patrons, including Premier Inn, Omaze and the Michael Uren Foundation.
“It means so much to everyone at GOSH. This new facility will help us realise our ambitions so we can match the amazing work of our clinicians with buildings and infrastructure that makes it easy for them to be their best.”
Ashley Dalton (pictured above), Minister for Public Health and Prevention, also attended the event, and spoke about what the government is doing to support children and young people with cancer.
"The hospital is a symbol of what we can achieve when we combine the excellence of our NHS people, innovative technologies, ground-breaking treatment and world-class research.
“As someone living with cancer myself, I know how terrifying a diagnosis can be - and when it happens to our children, that's unimaginable.
“These families deserve a government that's backing them every step of the way, which is why we've relaunched the Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce and will ensure children’s cancer is at the forefront of our Plan for Change."
Help us keep making progress for children with cancer
We’d like to say a big, huge, massive thank you for helping us reach this milestone. It’s incredible to see the building start to come to life, knowing all the lives it will change.
But our work is far from over. We’re on a mission to give more kids with cancer the best care, the best chance and the best childhood possible, and we can only do that with you.
Our supporters are part of an amazing team of doctors, nurses, Play workers, researchers, builders and many, many more who are helping us to build the future of children’s cancer care and beat cancer for more children.
Together, we're building a place that’s not just a hospital – it's a school, a playground, a home-from-home and so much more. A place where more children will reach milestones of their own.
We’re so glad to have you on the journey with us.
