Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ WM @ BCH on Friday 30th October 2009

The appeal, which launched on 14th July 2008, set out to raise Β£1.5 million to finance a new renal unit for Birmingham Children's Hospital.

At 8am on Friday 30th October 2009, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ WM's Phil Upton @ Breakfast show celebrated the end of the campaign and announced the total sum raised as Β£1,507,160.46.

Over the last 15 months, thousands of people from across the West Midlands have given up their time to organise a vast range of fundraising events, from cycle rides to coffee mornings.

Local and national celebrities, like Dragon's Den star Theo Paphitis and rock legend Robert Plant, have been involved in the campaign, be it by donating money or performing live at fundraising activities.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ WM has also held a variety of events across the station's programming. More than 12,500 school children were part of the 'Big Sit Still', which saw them raising sponsorship money by 'sitting still' for part of a lesson or break.

Robert Plant performs for Kidney Kids

Jenny Wilkes' Soul & Motown night took place at the Brookfields Club in Wolverhampton, Bev Bevan hosted a party at Birmingham's Jam House and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ WM Introducing threw a special live gig at the Robin 2 in Bilston.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ WM also won the prestigious Community Award at the Frank Gillard Awards in October 2009, in recognition of the station's active engagement with its audience in inspiring people to make a difference to everyday life in their area.

The appeal is now over and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ WM would like to thank everyone who has been part of the biggest campaign in the station's history.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ WM's Joanne Malin & Phil Upton

If you've raised money and have still yet to donate it to the appeal - don't worry! Even though the appeal has finished, your contribution will still go towards the hospital redevelopment.

The new renal unit

January 2010 is the target date for the new renal unit at Birmingham Children's Hospital to open.

Prior to the Kidney Kids Appeal, 1,500 young patients visited the old nephrology and urology departments every year to receive dialysis and other treatments, including transplants.

Kidney dialysis machine

These were housed in the ground floor of a 1960s annex, regarded as dated, humid, cramped, outdated and generally a poor environment for children, some of whom have to sit still for dialysis for four hours a day, three times a week.

The new unit will provide a more pleasant and comfortable environment for children who have endure dialysis and other treatments. Floor to ceiling windows will offer great views of the city, specialist lighting and high specification dΓ©cor will enhance the environment and improved play facilities form part of the designs.