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Woodthorpe baby and toddler group teams up with local Co-op stores to help bring Christmas joy to children’s wards at the QMC

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A baby and toddler group in Woodthorpe has helped raise almost £7,000 to spread Christmas cheer to children spending the festive period at Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre.

Little Lambs Baby & Toddler Group, which operates from The Church of the Good Shepherd on Thackeray’s Lane, teamed up with 20 Co-op stores to raise the cash, which will now be used to buy presents for sick children at the hospital in Nottingham.

The baby and toddler group launched the fundraising drive after hearing how the hospital had cared for three children known to them – Sophia Benedek, Poppy McGill and Aurora Pennacchia

Through a dedicated coffee morning and further generous donations, Little Lambs managed to raise £758.58. But several thousands of pounds were soon added to the total after 20 local Co-op stores got involved in the campaign.

The supermarket giant decided to help boost fundraising efforts after hearing about the campaign from Sarah Benedek, a member of the Little Lambs team who knew the manager at the local Co-op Gedling Road store and mentioned the group’s bid in passing.

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Sarah, whose own daughter received treatment at the Children’s Ambulatory Care Unit at QMC earlier this year, said: “I knew Debs Bradley [the store manager] through joint fundraising work we do at Gedling Country Park.

“I happened to mention that it would be great if we could bring a little Christmas magic to the poorly children at QMC this year and she was an absolute star, certainly far exceeding any hopes we had.”


Debs Bradley, Store Manager of Co-op Gedling Road, took the idea to her area manager, Alastair Cook, who then persuaded all 20 stores in his care to join the campaign.

SUPPORT FROM STORES: L to r, Alastair Cook, Co-op area manager; Andy Parson, Co-op Burton Joyce store manager; Stuart Thomas, Co-op Netherfield store manager; Siobhan Atkinson-Want, Co-op Gedling Road team leader; Linda Kirker, Co-op Sneinton team leader; Debs Bradley, Co-op Gedling Road store manager; Kylie Holmes, Co-op Sneinton store manager and Andrew Brown, Co-op Burton Joyce Team Leader

Mr Cook said: “When Debs raised the idea at the monthly regional meeting, it was a no-brainer. All of my 20 store managers agreed to help straight away. Just by simple actions such as putting buckets by till points for customers to drop in their loose change, our local stores collected £6,210.45 in six weeks.

“I am so proud of my team and the amazing customers who generously supported this campaign.”

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Evaventually the Group and 20 Co-op stores managed to raise a combined total of £6969.03 to spend on items that the children needed. 

Earlier this week, Little Lambs representatives, including one-year-old Aurora Pennacchia who received cochlear implants at the QMC, along with store managers from the Co-op, delivered the Christmas gifts to the hospital.

Rebecca Burke, group leader for Little Lambs said: “We’re truly overwhelmed by how such a small idea has snowballed into something so amazing.

“We’re so grateful to the hospital for looking after our children so well and we wanted to give something back. We cannot thank those who attend Little Lambs and the Co-op enough for getting on board, especially all their customers for supporting this project.”


The money raised has been used to equip a new teenage room with the latest gaming gadgets including a PS4 and 32” TV plus games.                                                                               

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More than 10 portable DVD players were also purchased, to distract children attending for day treatments and operations. Local families, Co-op customers and staff donated hundreds of DVDs to keep the children entertained while receiving treatment. 

There was enough money to refresh the toys in the treatment waiting areas and over £2,000 was spent on Christmas presents and gift cards for Santa to give out next week. A bag full of batteries and over 50 metres of gift wrap was also provided.

In addition, the generous volunteers at the Gedling Play Forum donated paints, paper and craft activities for the children to enjoy.

Claire Wright, Play Specialist at the Children’s Ambulatory Care Unit, QMC said: “We are just so overwhelmed by these generous donations. It’s been absolutely amazing. To us, this is the most amazing big deal.”

Finally, Co-op also donated food and treats to be enjoyed throughout the festive period by anyone on ward, including the doctors, nurses and support workers. 

“They might not be at home for Christmas but we’ve been able to bring a little bit of festive magic to the children, their families and the army of angels who look after them on ward this year,” concludes Deb Bradley, Store Manager of Co-op Gedling Road.

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