In this unprecedented coronavirus pandemic, many of us have experienced for the first time in our lives the difficulties of social distancing, shielding and isolation. For many families of young patients staying on our Cancer and Leukaemia ward, these are daily realities of their treatment.

Our Oncology and Haematology department treat children from babies through to 19-year olds, in South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire and as far south as Northampton. One of twenty principle treatment centres in the UK, we care for children with cancer and leukaemia as well as patients who have other blood problems such as bleeding and inherited disorders.

While many of us are able to distance in our homes, children are still receiving treatment on our ward in facilities which could be better. The care and attention from the doctors and nurses is second to none, but the facilities for the young patients do not match the quality of their treatment.

Together, we can create a new home from home for our patients, with space, privacy and natural light to make isolation a place of sanctuary and calm.

With your help, we can build single patient rooms with en-suite facilities, giving patients a place to make their own, with room for all their toys and space for a parent to sleep comfortably alongside them.

The new design would see more patients benefit from the welcoming views over Weston Park, with larger bed bays and more isolation rooms. Increasing the ward footprint would also expand the space for children to play and more than double the size of the ward classroom.