Great Ormond Street Hospital and Charity

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Great Ormond Street Hospital and Charity

Sharing the stories of families, patients, fundraisers and staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital and Charity 💙

Every day brings new challenges at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Every day, 619 children and young people from across the UK arrive for life-changing treatments. Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity raises money to enable the hospital to provide world class care and to pioneer new treatments and cures for childhood illnesses.

28/04/2026

“It’s like someone waved a magic wand.” Lisa, GOSH mum.🩵

This Superhero Day, meet Spider-Man’s biggest fan, Saffie.

When she was five years old, Saffie was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition affecting her sight.

She was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital for life-changing gene therapy – a first of its kind for her condition.

Today, Saffie is thriving! Her sight has improved and she’s been able to enjoy simple family moments like trick-or-treating and going out to restaurants in the evening.

Importantly, she’s excited for the upcoming Spider-Man film on the big screen (hopefully in costume).

[Image descriptions:
Image one: Saffie with a big grin across her face. She's wearing a Spider-Man hat, holding a Spider-Man bag and toy.
Image two: Saffie smiling on the floor wearing a flowery hat.
Image three: Saffie drinking a slushie.]

27/04/2026

“Children are so much more than their diagnoses - they have lives to live.” Katie, GOSH nurse. 🩵

11-year-old Jess has been a patient at Great Ormond Street Hospital since she was just two years old.

Up until now, Jess had to take the medicine that manages her condition as a liquid. That can complicate things and sometimes got in the way of her adventurous spirit.

But camping trips with her Scouts troop are now a little easier. That’s because a new project at GOSH is switching patients from liquid medicine to pills or tablets instead.

Without the need for exact measurements or temperature-controlled bottles, Jess can just focus on enjoying the great outdoors.

“It doesn’t take up as much time or have much of an impact and that makes me happy.” Jess says.

Now, GOSH Charity are funding a supporting pilot project through their Everyday Impact Fund.

This will provide the Play team with the tools they need to support patients make the switch to their new medicine.

We’re hoping this means a future where more kids can just be kids.

[Image descriptions:
Image one: Jess standing in front of the "Welcome to Great Ormond Street Hospital" sign.
Image two: Jess standing in a hospital room, holding a stuffed panda.
Image three: Jess wearing a scouts outfit sitting on the grass.]

25/04/2026

“There were lots of incredible people at GOSH. They always made me feel like I was important” Nina, former GOSH patient.

When Nina was 11, she fainted during a dance exam and knew something was wrong.

Nina was diagnosed with leukaemia and came to Great Ormond Street Hospital for treatment.

Although treatment was tough, within a few years Nina was in remission. That meant she could get back to doing what she loved – dancing.

Now 26, Nina is Head of English at a secondary school, and tomorrow, she’s taking on the London Marathon as part of .

“The fact I’m able to be this version of me now and be fully healthy made me want to see what I could do and how far I could push myself.”

Nina’s running to help us build the new Children’s Cancer Centre at GOSH, so more kids will grow up to live the lives they deserve just like her.

Good luck Nina, we’re all cheering for you!

[Image descriptions:
Image one: A selfie of Nina in her GOSH running vest.
Image two: Nina when she was younger in a hospital corridor.]

23/04/2026

“Leonora would not be here today without GOSH.” Ivo, GOSH dad.

Leonora was just a day old when she arrived at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Born with a rare birth defect, Leonora's parents, Ivo and Tash, were told her chances of survival were slim.

But thanks to the incredible efforts of hospital staff, Leonora was able to undergo life-saving surgery a week after her birth.

To give back, this Sunday, Ivo will be running the TCS London Marathon alongside his best friend Ollie for GOSH Charity.

It will be a run with double the meaning for the pair. They’re also honouring Ollie’s uncle, David, a lifelong supporter of the charity.

David came to GOSH as a child and thanks to the care he received there lived a full and happy life until he passed away at 72.

Please join us in thanking Ivo, Ollie, David and all of for their incredible support.

[Image descriptions:
Image one: Leonora and Dr David Cox at GOSH.
Image two: Leonora smiling while sitting in a colourful bouncer.
Image three: Ivo and Ollie wearing their GOSH Charity running vests.]

22/04/2026

“GOSH gave us hope in our darkest hour. Now I’m running to help them give that hope to others.” Sabe, GOSH dad.

Noah was diagnosed with blood cancer when he was just two years old. He quickly arrive at Great Ormond Street Hospital to start treatment.

Noah was able to ring the end of treatment bell and get back to school. But sadly, he relapsed last year and will need to spend longer under GOSH's care.

Noah’s family have always been incredible supporters of GOSH Charity, and since his relapse, they’ve been even more determined to help.

That’s why this weekend, Noah’s dad, Sabe, will be running the London Marathon as part of .

He's fundraising to help us build the new Children’s Cancer Centre at GOSH, so kids like Noah can have the childhoods they deserve.

Please join us in wishing Sabe good luck for this weekend!

[Image descriptions:
Image one: Noah sat behind the steering wheel of a car with his sister in the background.
Image two: Noah smiling wearing a tracksuit and colourful striped socks.
Image three: Noah sitting on the floor holding a colourful blanket in his lap.
Image four: Sabe wearing his GOSH vest in between Noah and his sister.]

21/04/2026

Meet Milly and her dad, Sam. Today, they were VIP guests at Buckingham Palace marking what would have been Queen Elizabeth II's 100th birthday.

As a child, Milly needed multiple surgeries at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Seeing his daughter go through this at such a young age deeply moved and inspired Sam, so he decided to raise money for GOSH Charity.

Since then, he’s cycled all over the world and has raised over £111,200! This month, Sam will embark on a new challenge riding 320 miles across Italy.

The Queen had a long history with GOSH and became our Patron in 1965. She even celebrated our 150th birthday with us, coinciding with her Golden Jubilee.

We can’t think of way better way to honour her support than by Sam and Milly’s achievements being recognised by the Palace. 🩵

[Image descriptions:
1. A selfie of Sam and his daughter, Milly, outside Buckingham Palace.
2. Sam and Milly posing for a photo outside the palace, holding their invitation.
3. Milly in a grey dress, inside the palace.]

16/04/2026

“All the staff were amazing all the time, it’s like a home away from home.” Maria, Arabella’s mum.

When Arabella was five years old, she began having night sweats and developed a cold sore that just wouldn’t go away.

Tests showed Arabella had a rare form of blood and bone cancer and she came to Great Ormond Street Hospital for treatment.

At GOSH, the Play team were always on hand to make sure Arabella still got to be a kid.

When she didn’t understand her treatments, they helped explain them with Olly her brave teddy bear.

If she was scared when it was time for her surgeries, they distracted her with bubbles.

“I’m so grateful that they take so much care on the little things that make something big and heavy feel a little more ok.”

Now seven, Arabella is back home and back at school full-time with all her friends.

She still visits GOSH for treatment but is hoping to ring her end of treatment bell later this year.

[Image descriptions:
1 Arabella stood in a hospital room with a toy bunny next to an IV stand.
2 Arabella wearing a toy helmet and tool belt.
3 Arabella wearing Mickey ears on the Dumbo ride at Disneyland.]

15/04/2026

“It’s impossible to sum up this life-changing experience in a few words,” Rachel, GOSH volunteer. 🩵

Superstar Rachel first joined the volunteer team at Great Ormond Street Hospital over ten years ago as guide.

She showed patients and families around the hospital and helped them get to their appointments on time.

But it was helping the Chaplaincy team that was her true calling.

From supporting children going to surgery to even planning a wedding, Rachel touched the lives of so many people during her time at the hospital.

Now, after giving up 1,500 hours of her time, she’s hung up her volunteer hat and we’ll miss her very much.

Please join us in thanking Rachel for her incredible commitment. We’re wishing her all the best for the future.

[Image description: Rachel and her manager smiling on her last day at GOSH.]

14/04/2026

It was an egg-stra special morning for these GOSH patients.

This Easter, our friends at Hamleys invited patients and their families into the store for a private visit.

With crafts, face-painting and appearances from the likes of Peppa Pig, there were plenty of smiles and memories made.

[Image descriptions:
1 Three GOSH patients with sword balloons standing next to two Hamleys working dressed up.
2 Three GOSH patients stood inside a large Easter egg at Hamleys, with a "Spring into Easter at Hamleys" sign above.
3 Two GOSH patients wearing pig ears are seated at a table with colouring activities.
4 A GOSH patient getting their face painted.
5 Two GOSH patients standing in front of a bear at Hamleys.]

11/04/2026

Welcome to the pack. 🐕

This Therapy Dog Appreciation Day we’d like to introduce you to some of our furry friends.

At Great Ormond Street Hospital, the therapy dogs are a wonderful team of canine volunteers who bring a smile to everyone they visit.

They’re great at calming nerves before surgeries, distracting patients getting blood tests, and they even join physiotherapy sessions.

Do you have a favourite moment with one of the therapy dogs? 🩵

[Image descriptions:
1. Therapy dog Poppy, smiling at the camera.
2. Therapy dog Coffee the Lion, giving the camera a cheeky side-eye while chewing her lead.
3. Therapy dog Dr Ted, in a doctor costume.
4. Therapy dog Apollo giving the camera a cute pout.]

10/04/2026

“Bella was very bubbly and cheeky. She made the most of all of the fun things that were on offer and it was really nice that I could join in too.” Octavia, GOSH sibling 🩵

This National Siblings Day, we’re sharing the story of sister’s Bella and Octavia.

Bella was diagnosed with leukaemia when she was just three years old.

Over the next few years, she spent lots of time at Great Ormond Street Hospital where the sisters bonded over cookie-decorating and music.

“Spending time with Bella at GOSH was so important to help keep our relationship as strong as possible.”

Sadly, Bella passed away when she was eight but Octavia keeps her little sister’s memory alive in everything she does.

She ran the London Marathon for GOSH Charity in 2024 and felt Bella’s presence in every step she took: “It was like Bella was there cheering me on.”

[Image descriptions:
1. A photo of Octavia with Bella in hospital.
2. Young Octavia giving baby Bella a kiss.
3. Young Octavia and Bella reading their books together.
4. Octavia smiling while running the London Marathon.]

09/04/2026

“GOSH means the absolute world to us.” Jess, Maeve’s mum.

Just after her first birthday, Maeve was diagnosed with eye cancer and came to Great Ormond Street Hospital for treatment.

After chemotherapy, we’re delighted to say Maeve is doing great. She’s walking, talking, singing, and laughing all day, every day.

That’s why this weekend Jess will be running the London Landmarks Half Marathon as part of .

“I am running to give back to such an amazing hospital that we are so grateful for.”

So far she’s raised over £6,000 to help GOSH Charity build the new Children’s Cancer Centre. Her efforts mean more kids like Maeve will get the childhoods they deserve.

Please join us in thanking Jess for her incredible hard work and wishing her all the best for the race this weekend.

You’ve got this, Jess! 🩵

[Image descriptions:
1. A selfie of Jess and Maeve in hospital.
2. Maeve in her hospital bed.
3. Maeve sitting on the floor at home.]

Address

London

Telephone

+442074059200

Website

http://www.gosh.nhs.uk/, https://www.gosh.org/

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