Bristol Comes Together To Illuminate Bristol Children’s Hospital

We’re bringing festive cheer to Bristol Children’s Hospital once again this year thanks to the help of some incredibly generous businesses and individuals from across the South West.

Our special Gromit Unleashed themed festive display illuminates the side of the hospital. The display, designed by Aardman director, Gavin Strange, features a twinkling festive wreath with Gromit Unleashed sculptures spinning on a bauble at its centre. It’s a fitting tribute to our 30-year partnership with Aardman, and our hugely successful Gromit Unleashed 3 trail!

There’s still time to get involved!

Help us shine bright this Christmas by sponsoring a star or Gromit Unleashed character.

Become a Shine Bright sponsor

The dazzling display stars a collection of our most festive Gromit Unleashed sculpture designs – ‘Noël’, ‘Prima Featherina’, ‘Santa Paws’, ‘Postie McGraw’, ‘The Snow Gromit’, ‘Fleece Navidad’, ‘Jingles’, ‘Gingerbird’ and ‘Nutcracker’.

The lights will be switched on at dusk every day, throughout December, for all to see, including the young patients having to spend the season in hospital.

Each year, hundreds of children across the South West spend time in hospital over the Christmas holidays. What’s meant to be the most magical time of the year can often feel like a miserable prospect for those patients and their families stuck inside.

Meet two new ‘neat and tidy’ Norbots…

One person who knows this feeling all too well is former Bristol Children’s Hospital patient, Ciara.

Ciara helped to launch our first capital appeal 30 years ago, and returned to the hospital to reveal the new display and unveil two brand-new Norbot sculptures, which have been specially designed for the holiday season.

Ciara along with Nicola, Grand Appeal Director, joined the celebrations.

‘Twinkle’, wrapped in a Christmas light design with present-themed boots, and ‘Sugar and Spice’, adorned with festive treats, will now tour other Shine Bright displays throughout the South West, spreading Christmas cheer and rallying vital support for Bristol Children’s Hospital.

Give a warm welcome to two festive additions to the Gromit Unleashed universe.

Shine Bright brings festive cheer to Bristol Children’s Hospital in partnership with Aardman. For 30 years, The Grand Appeal has helped make the extraordinary at the hospital possible, funding pioneering equipment, ground-breaking research and innovative facilities.

Wallace and Gromit have been central to our work, inspiring imagination and generosity for three decades. This Christmas, we invite everyone to enjoy the Shine Bright displays, discover Twinkle and Sugar and Spice and help us continue supporting sick children and babies across the South West.

Nicola Masters, Director of The Grand Appeal

The difference you make

This year, ‘Shine Bright for Bristol Children’s Hospital’ is raising money for The Grand Appeal’s ground-breaking Patient Hotel. The purpose-designed facility for Bristol Children’s Hospital will be transformational for young patients and their families across the South West and South Wales.

The innovative development will enable patients to stay with their families and receive ongoing therapy and rehabilitation once they no longer require around-the-clock in-patient care in the hospital.

Want to own your very own life-size Norbot?

Enter our ‘Santabot’ raffle for just £2.

Purchase your ticket now

Huge thanks to our brilliant Shine Bright sponsors – The Croft Family, The Needham Family, The Whitehead Family, Giles Woodward, Viridor, Natracare, Pete and Tracey Krausa, The Maddock Family, Berni Family Charity Trust, The Michael Bishop Foundation, The Hargreaves Foundation, Bella and Harrold, Thea and Cara, Nellie, BLOCCS Waterproof Cast & Dressing Covers, Renishaw, Silvey Fleet and The Moorhouse Family. Your generosity this Christmas will ensure families can stay together and access the world-class care they need during their child’s treatment.