Gloucestershire’s leading children’s charity has officially launched its spectacular 30 Years campaign for 2022, thanks to the support from over 30 local firms.

At Gloucester City FC, many of the companies participating in the 2022 fundraising year-long event gathered to mark the occasion.

The Pied Piper Appeal was founded in May 1992 and headed up by Peter Hickman to raise money to fund a new children’s hospital for the county – which opened at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in 2004. Roger Head OBE, then Appeal chairman, moved the charity into areas involving raising money to supply equipment for the special schools in the county. Thanks to the generous people of Gloucestershire the charity has raised millions to help local children.

Over 30 local businesses have come together to form the ‘supergroup’ to raise money and celebrate 30 years of Pied Piper making a difference to the sick and disabled children in Gloucestershire.

Said vice-chair and campaign manager, Julie Kent: “After the recent tough times in the charity sector we really appreciate your support to help the Pied Piper and sick & disabled children in the county. We are thrilled that so many companies signed up to this great cause pledging to be part of a supergroup of 30 local and passionate firms, each raising £3500 or more in 2022.”

“Together we can have some fun and build momentum to aim for £100,000 during the year, which will be immense. Here at the Pied Piper office, the team and volunteers look forward to working with you on this exciting journey.”

“We have so many deserving projects to finance and support and with a hugely depleted income stream in the pandemic, we needed to turn up the efforts to support these bids across the county. It’s great to share these projects with the 30+ businesses to give their teams a challenge and real purpose in putting on fundraising events,” said chairman Nick Broady.

“We have a huge shopping list that covers activities for the hospitals, various SEND schools’ developments, increased paediatric mental health services at GRH, and special Wish holidays for children with life-limiting illnesses. The £100,000 will go towards all these bids.”

Participating companies include:

Allstone, Baylis, BNI Networking, Brace Creative, Brunsdon Financial, Brunsdon Insurance, Cheltenham College, Clockwork Components, Dee & Griffin, Elmrep, Freeman Events Partners, Gardner Garages, Glevum Gym, Gloucester Rugby, Griffith Marshall, HCR Law, HDA Financial Planners, Hemmingway Associates, Hooray Recruitment, John Lewis, Malvern Tyres, Marsh Insurance (Jelf), Midland Comms, PinPoint Media, Pulsin, Punchline Gloucester, Quadrangle Cheltenham, Quayside, RHM Telecomms, SK Refrigeration, SmartComms, Starbucks, Steve Gooch EA, Team Performance, The Ivy, Truscott Jewellers, Tru Green.