More than 500 dedicated supporters of Sheffield Children's Hospital Charity created a spectacular festive scene in Endcliffe Park for the charity's annual Glow in the Park event, raising a magnificent sum in excess of £28,000.
Record Turnout for Festive Fundraiser
The family-friendly fun run, held every December, saw participants walk, run, or jog through the park on Tuesday, December 9, adorned in Christmas-themed, glow-in-the-dark costumes. To accommodate even more supporters, organisers introduced a new, shorter 2k route this year alongside the traditional 5k option. This strategic move helped secure the event's largest-ever participation, with over 500 people taking part.
The park was filled with a vibrant array of participants, including junior sports teams, a pair of flamingos, and a group dressed as presents fit for a giant Christmas tree. The funds raised are earmarked for the charity's Art+ programme, which delivers art and music workshops for children and families at Sheffield Children's Hospital, providing creative outlets during challenging times.
Inspiring Fundraisers and Supporters
The top fundraising team on the night was Crosspool FC Under-10s, who collectively raised an incredible £2,316. Their efforts have earned them a snowflake on the hospital's charity display for 2026. The new 2k route enabled younger participants to join in, including seven-year-old Theo Gowen, who proudly stated he came eighth and had the honour of sounding the starting air horn.
Many participants were motivated by personal connections to the hospital. Twelve-year-old Myla-Mae Thatcher, who received life-saving treatment for aplastic anaemia at age four, has now participated in three Glow events. "After everything they've done for me, I don't know how I could ever repay them," Myla said, highlighting the event's power to bring people together.
Community and Corporate Backing
The event saw strong support from hospital staff, with teams from the Emergency Department, Radiology, and Medical Daycare Service getting involved. It was also bolstered by local businesses and volunteers, including charity ambassador Alex Gardner as host, Endcliffe Park Café providing hot chocolates, and Firehouse Fitness leading the warm-up.
John Armstrong, Chief Executive of Sheffield Children's Hospital Charity, expressed his delight: "We were delighted to see such a brilliant turnout... An incredible amount has been raised that will support our arts programme, Art+, to bring creativity, calm, and engagement to the hospital environment." He emphasised that just £17 funds a workshop for one child, meaning the night's total will make a substantial impact.
