Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity has onboarded Steve Bracknall, Melanie Bancroft, Kelvin Quick, James O’Hara, Annabel Baker, Zahid Saleem, Darren England and Sarah Poolman as new ambassadors of the charity.
Ambassadors are advocates of Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity, committing to raise awareness of Sheffield Children’s in their highly specialist fields.
They have pledged to utilise their expertise and enthusiasm to support the charity’s work to help Sheffield Children’s go above and beyond NHS provision.
Whether it’s attending events or fundraising, ambassadors make a huge difference to the work of Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity.
Each bringing a wealth of unique skillsets and experiences, the new ambassadors will help Sheffield Children’s to go above and beyond and provide remarkable care with the help of the charity.
As one of just three standalone specialist children’s hospitals in the UK, Sheffield Children’s treats children not just from the local area but across the UK and the world.
With assistance from eight new ambassadors, Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity will continue to help Sheffield Children’s lead the way in paediatric care.
Steve Bracknall – Assistant Manager of Royal Oak FC, Steve (pictured above) has been appointed as an ambassador for the charity, having been involved in events such as the Play Padel Celebrity Padel Tournament and An Evening with Barry Bannan, helping the charity to raise over £160,000.
Steve is incredibly passionate, truly recognising the impact the charity has on patients, families and staff at Sheffield Children’s.
Melanie Bancroft – Melanie (pictured above) joins the ambassadors’ team, having supported Sheffield Children’s for more than a decade.
Melanie has held the position of Chairperson of the Regional Advisory Group since 2021, where she supports the charity and assists in promoting their biggest campaigns, including snowflakes and sculptures.
Melanie also brings Sheffield businesses together at fundraising networking events in aid of Sheffield Children’s, engaging with the charity and corporate supporters to raise vital funds.
Melanie said: “As a parent, I’m even more grateful and I’ve witnessed at first hand the compassion and all-round brilliance of the staff.
“Getting involved in the charity to support the work of the hospital seemed the most obvious thing to do.
“It was then that I discovered more about the full range of services that are provided. It’s not just about the building on Glossop Road.”
Kelvin Quick – Kelvin (pictured above) is a Sheffield entrepreneur and long-time supporter of Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity.
Through his businesses, China Red Restaurant and Jooma, Kelvin hosts annual fundraisers and community events, raising thousands of pounds each year.
Kelvin said: “My passion lies in rallying the community around causes that matter to us all and helping to amplify the charity’s message across South Yorkshire through cultural occasions like our Lunar New Year celebrations.”
James O’Hara – As the co-founder of Tramlines, Day Fever and Crossed Wires, as well as the co-owner of some of Sheffield’s most popular venues, James (pictured above) is an avid supporter of Sheffield’s creative industries, bringing his wealth of experience to the team at Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity.
Annabel Baker – As a mum of two, Annabel knows only too well the benefits of having the amazing Sheffield Children’s Hospital on our doorstep.
During her marketing career, she has set up and run prestigious National Award events, participating in and running judging panels.
With a passion for nurturing the potential in young people, Annabel pursued a second career as a secondary school teacher.
Annabel said: “It was great to be able to use my professional experience to help support the charity team in launching the Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity Awards back in 2018.
“It’s been a real privilege to help judge these awards, which recognise the initiatives and individuals, groups and businesses that year after year support the charity and hospital with volunteering and vital fundraising to make a difference.”
Zahid Saleem – Born and bred in Sheffield, Zahid proudly represents his roots.
One cause especially close to Zahid’s heart is the Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
After his niece Ayesha received vital care there, Zahid and a close friend raised nearly £9,000 toward a new scan machine and were honoured to attend its opening ceremony.
He believes we are fortunate to have one of the best children’s hospitals in the UK and is committed to helping it grow even stronger.
For Zahid, this work is about giving back, creating impact, and leaving a legacy that truly matters.
Darren England – Darren (pictured above), a Premier League football referee, has supported Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity for numerous years, comparing his incredible career highlights to becoming an ambassador for the charity.
Darren said: “Refereeing football matches in the biggest and best league in the world – the Premier League is a huge privilege.
“Equally, becoming an ambassador for Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity is too.”
Sarah Poolman – Sarah is a Deputy Chief Constable with South Yorkshire Police and has lived in Sheffield since 2014.
With more than 20 years of policing experience in South Yorkshire and Thames Valley, Sarah has worked across many different areas of policing but has spent most of her time working within the world of vulnerability and child protection.
She is passionate about safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children.
Sheffield is now Sarah’s home, where she is bringing up her children and feels extraordinarily lucky to have a dedicated children’s hospital close by.
With the help of the eight newly appointed ambassadors, Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity can continue to transform the hospital experience for patients and families.