At Meadowhall we believe we have an important contribution to make to the communities we serve. Enlivened communities and thriving commercial businesses/organisations can be mutually supportive and beneficial to each other, helping to build long term relationships, generate goodwill and deliver useful facilities.

Meadowhall's 2013 Charity of the Year - Sheffield's The Children´s Hospital Charity 
About the charity:
We make an extraordinary hospital even better! The Children´s Hospital in Sheffield is one of only four of its kind in the country; it´s just for kids and has a whole range of specialist services that make it different from most hospitals. More than 245,000 patient journeys are made to our hospital each year from all over the UK and beyond.

Our Make it Better appeal (www.make-it-better.org.uk) is the biggest challenge we have ever faced. We need to raise £20m in the next three years to support the £40m transformation of The Children´s Hospital. We already have a world class team providing expert care around the clock. What we need now is a world class environment to match.

We´ll be replacing some existing wards and providing more single en-suite rooms, giving families 21st century facilities with privacy, dignity and space. We´ll be moving key departments closer together, meaning a smoother journey for everyone and we´ll be making it a bright and colourful place for children with play areas, gardens and artwork.

We´re thrilled that Meadowhall have chosen us as their Charity of the Year and hope you will join them in supporting us. You´ll be helping to make the clinical more comfortable for our young patients and their families. You´ll be helping to keep our specialist services special. You´ll be helping to Make it Better.

Future Charities
Our support is shared between national, regional and local community causes with the majority of effort being directed towards support for the immediate catchment surrounding Meadowhall. We focus our support where we can deliver the biggest impact and where the initiative broadly matches our criteria.

We will consider support:
1. to registered charities or not-for profit organisations based in South Yorkshire, in particular we provide support for the immediate catchment to Meadowhall.
2. where there is clear, immediate and long-lasting benefit to the recipients.
3. where we are aware of what exactly the support will be used for.
4. where, if required, the charity is able to provide the latest 2 years´ audited Annual Accounts.

What we don´t support:
We are unable to consider requests for support for any of the following:
1. organisations which are not recognised charities or not-for profit organisations.
2. activities which are primarily the responsibility of central or local government, or some other responsible body.
3. contribute to running costs, including rent or staff wages.
4. activities which collect funds for subsequent redistribution to other charities or individuals.
5. expeditions or overseas travel.
6. individuals, including students.
7. loans or business finance.
8. overseas activities or charities.
9. promotion of religion or the restoration or upkeep or places of worship.
10. petitions
11. sponsorship or marketing appeals. These are treated separately.

How we support
We wish to make contributions which will have a meaningful long term impact in the community. We therefore focus our support to a limited number of causes or organisations for longer periods where we can see the impact of our contributions and where we can build good relationships and better understanding of areas of need.

Our support
Here are just some examples of how we have shown our support;
• Providing advertising opportunities in community or charitable publications
• Environmental activities
• Offering consultancy, expertise and research opportunities
• Staff volunteering
• Hosting arts, cultural and sporting events
• Use of company premises/resources
• Work placements

Your ´Support´ application
Simply print off and complete the form, together with any supporting literature you feel will strengthen your chances of receiving support. The form must be completed legibly and in full, and sent to: Secretary to the Support Committee, Meadowhall Shopping Centre, Management Suite, 1 The Oasis, Meadowhall Centre, Sheffield, S9 1EP.

If your request does not satisfy this criteria, your application will be declined. If the request does meet with the specified criteria, the application will then be given further consideration at the next Support Committee meeting held monthly. As the number of applications typically exceed the funds available, the Committee exercise their discretion in making any awards even in circumstances where the criteria may be satisfied.

All applicants will receive acknowledgement within 5 working days, and will at a later date be informed as to whether their application has been successful. If your application is unsuccessful, then you should wait at least 1 year before re-applying.

Charity Of The Year
Each year Meadowhall selects a Charity Of The Year. In doing so, we are able to make contributions which will have a meaningful long term impact in the community. It is our intention to support these organisations for longer periods where we can see the impact of our contributions and where we can build good relationships and gain a better understanding of the areas of need.

We focus our support towards organisations that contribute to the immediate catchment surrounding Meadowhall. Whether it´s fundraising, recruiting volunteers or simply raising awareness to a good cause, Meadowhall provides the perfect platform for any Charity to benefit. With over 25 million consumers visiting each year, Meadowhall´s Charities Of The Year will be given privileged access to the region´s largest retail destination where you will be able to deliver your marketing plans and activities for a total of twelve months.

Any organisation wishing to apply for Charity Of The Year, must complete their application before August 31st each year. You may request an Application form from the Secretary to the Support Committee, Meadowhall Shopping Centre, Management Suite, 1 The Oasis, Meadowhall Centre, Sheffield, S9 1EP.

To download a charity of the year application form Click here.