Donate a gift in memory of someone
Giving a gift in memory of your loved one is an incredibly special way to honour their memory while helping to give seriously ill children childhoods that are fuller, funner and longer.
Thank you so much for thinking of the children at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) at this time.
How to donate in memory
How you remember and honour your loved one is very personal. We have lots of different ways you can support Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity) with your gift in memory, suited to how you’d like to remember that special someone:
- Create a lasting tribute fund in honour of your loved one by setting up a Brighter Future Fund. Share your tribute with family and friends so they can fundraise or donate in memory of your loved one, too.
- Hold a virtual or physical collection at a funeral, memorial service or other remembrance event
- Make a donation in memory of a special life
- Share your loved one’s memory by adding a star to our beautiful digital constellation
- Organise a fundraising event or take on a challenge
Your gift in honour of your loved one will help bring hope to children with the rarest and most complex illnesses.
It will help to bring more playdough squishing, more swimming lessons, more bedtime stories, and more special moments for children and their families.
Together, we can help give seriously ill children the best chance and the best childhood possible.
Fundraising in memory of Anna
Jess holds a photo of her daughter, Anna
When Anna, aged one, started having seizures, she was referred to GOSH for testing. A little over a month later, she was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease – an incurable genetic disorder. Sadly, Anna passed away two weeks later, at just 14 months old.
Anna’s mum, Jess, shares her story:
“Anna was a healthy, happy baby right up until she became ill. She had a seizure out of the blue. She was so brave – always smiling at the doctors and nurses. She charmed everyone who met her with her beautiful smile and spiky hair!
“Anna received wonderful, loving care in her last few weeks of life at GOSH, for which we will always be so grateful. The entire team at GOSH made what was such a difficult time for Anna, and us, much easier to bear. We owe them so much. The medical care she received was second to none, but it was also the love that we all received that made the hospital stand out so much for us. We will never forget that kindness.”
Since Anna’s death, Jess and her family have been fundraising so that Anna’s legacy might help other families.
Jess said: “Not long after Anna’s death, we set up The Anna Lewis Brighter Future Fund with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity. Since then, we’ve asked that every penny raised be used for mitochondrial research in the hope that other families have a brighter future. So far, we have raised an amazing £383,000. But we will not stop until a cure is found for this cruel disease.”
Leaving a gift in your Will
Leaving a legacy with a gift in your Will could transform a child’s life. Your gift will make a difference for future generations of seriously ill children and leave a legacy of hope. Find out more about leaving a gift in your Will.
Donate in memory: frequently asked questions
Why donate in memory of someone?
Donating in memory is a special way to honour the memory of your loved one and ensure their hopes, dreams and values live on. A gift to GOSH Charity will create a lasting legacy for your loved one by giving hope to seriously ill children – now and in the future.
Can I hold a funeral collection in lieu of flowers?
Yes, this is a lasting and meaningful way to honour your loved one. Find out more and request collection envelopes that family and friends can use to make private donations.
Will you tell me about the donations received in my loved one’s memory?
We’ll write to you with details of the total amount raised but cannot give out the names of individual donors or the individual amounts given.
Why are you asking me for information about the person who has died?
If the person whose life you’re celebrating was a supporter of the charity, we want to ensure their name is removed from our mailing database. It also means that if other people want to fundraise in memory of your loved one, those funds can be added to the total raised in their memory, if appropriate.
Do you offer plaque recognition?
Unfortunately, we’re not able to offer this service as it’s not practical to have plaques in a working hospital. Due to the routine deep cleaning of equipment and rooms in the hospital, we cannot guarantee that a plaque will remain in place.
Alternatively, you can add your loved one’s name and share their story through a star on our digital in memory constellation.