Charity launches £250K appeal to help transform children's unit at Royal Oldham Hospital

NorthCare Charity has launched a £250,000 appeal to transform the Sunshine Room at Royal Oldham Hospital . . . creating a comforting sanctuary for children with complex and life-limiting conditions, neurodiverse patients and families facing end-of-life care.

For some families, a hospital room becomes far more than just a room. 

It becomes a place where parents stay awake through the night holding a child's hand. A place where brothers and sisters gather after school to spend precious moments together. A place where families facing the unimaginable create memories that will last forever. 

Now, NorthCare Charity is calling on the people of Oldham and beyond to help transform the existing Sunshine Room on the Children's Unit at Royal Oldham Hospital into a welcoming sanctuary for children with complex needs, neurodiverse patients and those receiving end-of-life care.  

The redevelopment forms part of the charity's wider Sunshine Appeal, which aims to create a more therapeutic, family-centred environment for thousands of children treated on the unit each year. 

The impact of the project can be seen through the experiences of children like Alyaan, a seven-year-old from Rochdale who spent much of his childhood in hospital due to complex health conditions.  

During a lengthy stay on the Children's Unit at Royal Oldham Hospital, his mum, Sumaira, spoke about the realities of life on the ward and the importance of having spaces where families can spend precious time together. 

Sumaira said "We'd been living on the children's unit for six months, so our whole life had changed. Alyaan's dad and siblings came to visit in the evenings and it wasn't easy at all.  

“It would have helped so much to have more facilities for families like ours who were staying long-term, somewhere we could spend time together and create precious memories. The staff were amazing, but having better space would have made things much easier for children and families like ours.” 

Every year, around 10,000 children and young people receive care on the Children's Unit at Royal Oldham Hospital, including children with complex medical conditions, learning disabilities and additional sensory needs.  

For many families, hospital becomes a second home for weeks, months and sometimes even longer. 

The Sunshine Room is a dedicated space where children with complex needs and those nearing the end of their lives can receive care in a calmer, more comforting environment.  

Funds raised through the appeal will transform the room with specialist sensory equipment, alternative lighting, soothing sounds and textures, improved facilities and dedicated accommodation space for parents and siblings. The vision is to create a peaceful, homely setting that provides comfort, dignity and support when families need it most. 

Ricky Barber, Children's Unit Manager at Royal Oldham Hospital, said: "In my experience as a children's nurse, I have seen many children and young people with complex needs admitted into hospital. It can be a frightening and unsettling time for both patients and their families. 

"The Sunshine Room has the potential to make an incredible difference. By creating a dedicated, sensory-friendly environment tailored to children's individual needs, we can provide comfort, reassurance and a sense of normality during some of the most difficult moments families will ever face. It will enable us to deliver care in a space that feels safe, calming and much more like home.” 

Jessica Bradford, Fundraising Officer at North Care Charity, said: "We're asking people across Greater Manchester to get behind this appeal and help us raise £250,000 for children and families at Royal Oldham Hospital. Every donation, no matter how big or small, will make a difference and bring us one step closer to transforming the Sunshine Room. 

“But there are so many other ways people can get involved too. We'd love to hear from local businesses, schools, community groups and workplaces who want to support the appeal through fundraising, sponsorship or partnerships. 

Whether it's donating through our JustGiving page, organising an event, taking on a challenge or choosing us as your Charity of the Year, every contribution will help. 

“Anyone interested in supporting the appeal can get in touch with me directly. I'll be delighted to help turn fundraising ideas into reality and support people every step of the way.” 

The Sunshine Appeal aims to transform the Children's Unit into a vibrant and therapeutic environment where children can play, relax and enjoy moments of childhood despite being in hospital. Every donation will help create spaces that offer comfort, hope and strength to children and families across Oldham and beyond. 

To support the appeal or find out more, visit www.northcarecharity.org/sunshine.