Just in time for the 2025 winter season, Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) Charity is delighted to announce the return of its heartwarming festive appeal – ‘Our Shining Stars’.
Since its launch in 2020, the campaign has raised tens of thousands of pounds thanks to local businesses, schools and families. Last year Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI), Bassetlaw Hospital, and Montagu Hospital had 24 festive and sparkling stars put on their exteriors over the festive period, raising a grand total of £15,200 in star sponsorship.
Suzy Brain England OBE, Chair of the Board at DBTH, said: “Our Shining Stars has become a special tradition for our hospitals and communities.
“Every star represents a memory, festive cheer and the generosity of our supporters, whose contributions help us go ‘above and beyond’ for our patients and colleagues.
“I’m pleased to see the campaign grow even further this year, reaching into Bawtry for the first time, and I’m looking forward to seeing the stars shining across our sites once again.”
All funds raised during the campaign are devoted to enhancing patient care, supporting families and uplifting hospital staff through projects beyond NHS provisions.
A highlight of 2024 was the debut of a roving star, where, thanks to First Group, one star was mounted on a participating bus, making a mobile statement of solidarity and support.
DBTH Charity is proud to announce their largest star offering to date, with 58 stars available for sponsorship across DRI, Bassetlaw Hospital and at a brand-new location, Bawtry.
Sarah Dunning, Fundraising Manager for DBTH Charity, said: “We’re really excited that for the first time we’ll be taking our stars outside of the hospital grounds, working in partnership with Visit Bawtry and Ziniz Restaurant.
“This is going to be an amazing opportunity, and we’ll be working with retailers throughout the month to help raise vital funds for DBTH Charity with a host of fundraising activities, including attending Bawtry’s famous Christmas Light Switch on event on Sunday 30 November.”
Each site will have a dedicated switch-on event, and the charity will also be hosting a festive Christmas fair at Bawtry New Hall on 29th December earlier in the day before the switch on.
The DRI and Bassetlaw Hospital stars will switch-on the day before this, on Friday 28th November.
There are different sponsorship packages available for the stars, which range from £300 to £2,000, and all funds will be reinvested into projects at the Trust which improve patient experience.
Chairman at Visit Bawtry (Bawtry Retail Association), Ross Jarvie, has said “We are delighted to be part of the ‘Our Shining Stars’ campaign. This gives us an opportunity to combine two of our favourite things: supporting local charities and Christmas!
“We are grateful to the Calzini family for giving us their building frontage. Bawtry is the perfect place for festive shopping and drinks. We look forward to seeing you.”
To apply for a stall at the Bawtry Christmas Fair, please email the charity on dbth.charity@nhs.net and to sponsor a star, click here.
The fair is almost at capacity, so don’t wait to secure your place!
