A funding campaign to improve experiences for youngsters in hospital in Cambridge has amassed more than £500,000 – but more funds are needed.

Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust’s Give for the Moment children’s campaign was created to ensure that every young patient experiences the best possible care and outcome at Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie Hospitals – and today, during Small Charity Week, they have announced their progress so far.

The charity, which works to raise much-needed funds for a range of life-saving equipment, specialist support staff roles and pioneering research across the Cambridge hospital campus, is now halfway to its £1 million target.

Rob Heuschkel, director of children’s services at Addenbrooke’s, said: “Our fantastic NHS staff do everything they possibly can to minimise the distress for young patients and their families.

“But while the staff work tirelessly to ensure that quality of patient care remains world-class, services are unfortunately under a lot of strain and we all know that more can be done.

“We can only continue to improve things if people support the hospital philanthropically so we urge you to join the campaign. £1 million is an ambitious target but we are already halfway there.”

“ACT’s Give for the Moment Children’s Campaign will allow the charity to fund a number of projects ranging from medical equipment, to staff and play equipment. This will have a transformative effect on the young people who visit our hospital. This vital work can only be done with support from the community.”

Gemma Downham, ACT’s director of fundraising added: “Thanks to grateful patients, kind-hearted fundraisers, donors, companies and the wider community we have already reached the midway point in our fundraising but we still need further support to ensure that we are able to fund all the projects identified by hospital staff.

“As a small charity, we are solely reliant on donations from those in the local community so we are keen to raise awareness for our campaign. We want to make sure that those who have been treated at the hospital are aware of what we are trying to achieve through this campaign and can take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie if they’d like to do so.”

Nationwide Small Charity Week runs until Saturday and celebrates and raises awareness of the essential work of the UK’s small charity sector.

To find out more about Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust or to donate to children’s campaign, go to www.act4addenbrookes.org.uk/children or call 01223 217757.