Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Birmingham Children's Hospital and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ WM are celebrating the end of their Kidney Kids Appeal having smashed their target of Β£1.5million

The final amount was announced on Friday 30 October by Phil Upton on the Breakfast programme, 16 months after the appeal was launched by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ WM and Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Thanks to the support and generosity of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ WM listeners and the general public, the Kidney Kids Appeal total now stands at Β£1,507,106 46p.

Speaking shortly after revealing the final total live on air, an ecstatic Phil Upton said: "It is absolutely fantastic that in the current economic climate that we were able to raise this much money and it's a tribute to the generosity of the people of the West Midlands."

The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ WM Kidney Kids Appeal campaign aims to make a big difference to the lives of children receiving kidney treatment at Birmingham Children's Hospital by contributing to a new kidney unit at one of the world's leading children's hospitals.

The unit treats children with a range of kidney problems, and 1,500 young patients visit the nephrology (kidney) and urology department every year to receive dialysis, and other treatments, including transplants.

Since the launch of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ WM Kidney Kids Appeal, in July 2008, the station has organised a range of money-raising schemes and events to help reach the magical Β£1.5million, most recently hosting a celebrity-studded musical concert at the Jam House with a special guest appearance from Robert Plant.

Other fund-raising schemes included an old mobile phone collection; jewellery collections; a Soul and Motown party; sponsored bike rides; a football mascot race and a Big Sit Still where 12,500 school children from across the West Midlands took part in a sponsored sit still and quiet time during a lesson or break-time.

People from across the region have also given up their time to work tirelessly towards raising Β£1.5million for the appeal, with local and national celebrities chipping in too: Dragons' Den stars Theo Paphites, Duncan Bannatyne and James Caan have all donated Β£1,000 each, with Dave Heeley (aka Blind Dave) running in the London Marathon to raise money towards the current total.

Further information on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ WM Kidney Kids Appeal and the events that have helped raise the total so far can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/local_radio.

BJO