
The incredible difference you're making
Your support for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity (GOSH Charity) has an extraordinary impact. From funding a new centre for children with sight and hearing loss, to spreading the word about our biggest ever RBC Race for the Kids, your advocacy and generosity in 2018/19 is transforming the lives of seriously ill children from across the UK and beyond.
Meet some of the children benefitting from the life-saving research, latest technology, vital support services and new clinical spaces we fund – all thanks to you!
Meet Enzo
At just seven years old, Enzo is currently receiving treatment as part of a clinical research trial at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). He loves playing on his games console and superheroes – he even has special Batman shoes that light up. By taking part in research, children like Enzo play a vital role in finding the tests, treatments and cures of tomorrow.
This year, your support has enabled us to invest £7.4 million into more than 80 research projects at institutions across the UK – all to offer kids like Enzo the chance of a better future.


Meet Enzo
At just seven years old, Enzo is currently receiving treatment as part of a clinical research trial at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). He loves playing on his games console and superheroes – he even has special Batman shoes that light up. By taking part in research, children like Enzo play a vital role in finding the tests, treatments and cures of tomorrow.
This year, your support has enabled us to invest £7.4 million into more than 80 research projects at institutions across the UK – all to offer kids like Enzo the chance of a better future.


Your impact on research
Surgeons performed five operations to repair spina bifida while the child was still in the womb. With your support, GOSH were able to bring this service to the UK for the very first time.
12 research projects were funded across the UK – totalling £2.1 million – through the 2019 National Call with Sparks.

Dr Giovanni Baranello, newly appointed GOSH Charity Senior Clinical Lecturer in Neurosciences.
Dr Giovanni Baranello, newly appointed GOSH Charity Senior Clinical Lecturer in Neurosciences.
"Having laboratory research linked so closely with clinical care on one site is exceptional. It’s an opportunity to rapidly translate ideas into results that will benefit children. I always had a real ambition to work at GOSH one day and I’m so pleased to be here."
Meet Lola
Every six weeks, Lola comes to GOSH for treatment for cystic fibrosis. Aged 11, she loves to read and has just finished the entire Harry Potter series for the first time.
Cystic fibrosis is a demanding condition and Lola’s needs change over time – and so does understanding of the condition and how to treat it. So the hospital’s wards need to adapt with the children they welcome. We’re funding future-proofed spaces that are spacious, functional, and flexible, creating environments that can help children recover faster.
This year, we’ve committed £54.1 million to spaces designed around children, housing both vital care and world-leading research.



Meet Lola
Every six weeks, Lola comes to GOSH for treatment for cystic fibrosis. Aged 11, she loves to read and has just finished the entire Harry Potter series for the first time.
Cystic fibrosis is a demanding condition and Lola’s needs change over time – and so does understanding of the condition and how to treat it. So the hospital’s wards need to adapt with the children they welcome. We’re funding future-proofed spaces that are spacious, functional, and flexible, creating environments that can help children recover faster.
This year, we’ve committed £54.1 million to spaces designed around children, housing both vital care and world-leading research.



Your impact on the hospital environment
Construction has begun on our new Sight and Sound Centre, supported by Premier Inn. This specialist outpatient facility, set to open in 2020, will include quiet waiting spaces, a sensory garden and interior design tailored to the needs of children with sight and hearing loss – like Paris, who took part in a workshop to help its design.

GOSH patient Paris attends an appointment with a specialist audiologist.
GOSH patient Paris attends an appointment with a specialist audiologist.
“I have a cochlear implant and, when I go to hospital, I find it hard to understand what people are saying because it’s usually really loud. But having my family and friends with me really helps. My favourite sound is probably birds in the morning, so I’m really looking forward to seeing the garden in the new Sight and Sound Centre!”
500 academic and clinical staff will move into the new Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children when it opens later in 2019.
Meet Gabriel
Gabriel is eight years old and has been coming to GOSH every week since he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia – a rare type of childhood cancer. He loves singing and tickles from his mum, and playing with Jennie from the Play team when he’s at the hospital.
Caring for seriously ill children is about more than just medicine. From family meal vouchers and the Play team, to spiritual and psychological support services, this kind of support can be vital to a child’s recovery and a family’s wellbeing.
Over the last year, you’ve helped us provide £5.1 million to enable Gabriel to play, ease the burden on families, and support hospital staff day in, day out.


Meet Gabriel
Gabriel is eight years old and has been coming to GOSH every week since he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia – a rare type of childhood cancer. He loves singing and tickles from his mum, and playing with Jennie from the Play team when he’s at the hospital.
Caring for seriously ill children is about more than just medicine. From family meal vouchers and the Play team, to spiritual and psychological support services, this kind of support can be vital to a child’s recovery and a family’s wellbeing.
Over the last year, you’ve helped us provide £5.1 million to enable Gabriel to play, ease the burden on families, and support hospital staff day in, day out.


How you help us support children, families and staff
7,236 meal vouchers were provided to 412 breastfeeding mothers this year, helping to ease the burden on families who have a seriously ill child.
Each year, around 2,000 families stay in charity-funded accommodation, helping them to stay near to the hospital when they need it most.

"The Play team at GOSH turn negatives into positives and add some giggles when there are difficult things like blood tests. They always help by distracting you with fun things and make being at hospital not so bad.”
Meet Bethany
Bethany is 12 years old and has been coming to GOSH all her life. She has epilepsy and is treated by the Neurology team. She is well acquainted with MRI scans and enjoys watching Disney films while in the scanner.
Technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate – and there’s so much we can do to help children like Bethany benefit from these leaps forward.
This year, your support has allowed us to invest £7.1 million in flexible, integrated kit that addresses the hospital’s urgent needs, from heart monitors to vital MRI upgrades.



Meet Bethany
Bethany is 12 years old and has been coming to GOSH all her life. She has epilepsy and is treated by the Neurology team. She is well acquainted with MRI scans and enjoys watching Disney films while in the scanner.
Technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate – and there’s so much we can do to help children like Bethany benefit from these leaps forward.
This year, your support has allowed us to invest £7.1 million in flexible, integrated kit that addresses the hospital’s urgent needs, from heart monitors to vital MRI upgrades.




Bethany, age 12.
Bethany, age 12.
Your impact on equipment and systems
We invested £2.9 million in an urgent and transformative upgrade for the hospital’s cardiac catheter lab, which offers less invasive alternatives to open heart surgery.
Your support helped the hospital launch its new centralised electronic patient record system – bringing together 385 unlinked computer systems into one.
Thank you
Thank you for all your generosity and support this year. We couldn't have done it without you!
