Famous faces packed out Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse to support the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (RMCH).
The evening was hosted by celebrities Jenny Powell and Mike Toolan.
The Champions for Children Gala Dinner was backed by the Class of 92 charity, Foundation 92.
The founding football stars of the charity were at the event, including Manchester United stars Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Wes Brown.
However, the real star of the show was 16-year-old Sameer – who introduced the evening’s video highlighting the charity’s important work.
Funds raised at the event will go towards supporting the hospital’s Youth Service, which supports patients aged 11 and over with long-term health conditions.
Sameer has spent long periods of time in the hospital, recently undergoing treatment for a bone infection, and says the Youth Service has been lifechanging.
He said: “As soon as they new I had become an inpatient the Youth Service team came to see me.
“The Youth Service is important to me because without them, patients like me wouldn’t be able to make friends, we wouldn’t be able to socialise and be teenagers.
“For me, they provide a chance to enjoy myself and forget about my disability – I am a human, I’m not a medical condition.”
The hospital’s youth service is one of only three hospital youth services in the country.
RMCH patient and Youth Service representative Sameer introducing the impact video (Image: Manchester Foundation Trust Charity) It aims to empower young people to find their voice, build confidence and navigate the challenges of their condition.
Sameer said: “As a teenager we’re supposed to socialise, where we go out, and where we learn new things.
“Being in hospital limits you, but the Youth Service has opened some of those doors for me.”
Izzy and Fatma, two other patients at the RMCH were also there on the night.
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The three of them were given the full VIP treatment before the event, with fashion brands offering outfits and make-up artists, hair technicians and nail artists getting them ready for their big night out.
The money raised will also fund a project to support children and young people cared for in the hospital’s inpatient mental health unit.
It will help fund workshops using music and creative expression to help build confidence, self-esteem and identity.
(left to right) Sameer, Youth Service Manager Nic, Jenny Powell and Mike Toolan (Image: Manchester Foundation Trust Charity) READ MORE: Bolton business teams up with Home-Start for Easter appeal
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Kathy Cowell OBE DL, Chair of Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital said: “It was a privilege to host the Champions for Children Gala Dinner.
“On behalf of our patients, families and staff, I would like to thank every single person who has helped to raise such a fantastic sum in support of the children and young people we care for at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
“Thank you for making a difference, and for helping our patients on their journey towards full, vibrant and independent lives.”
