In 2019, someone from Ward 6 got in touch asking if she could provide a raffle prize through her role at Morrisons Ecclesfield. Maddy said yes. That Christmas, she went a step further and delivered presents to the ward.
She didn’t know it at the time, but that small act would be the start of something much bigger.
When the pandemic hit, Maddy was contacted again – this time by the charity – asking if she had ever considered sponsoring a snowflake. She reached out to other Morrisons stores to get involved, and during one of those conversations, she learned about Oliver, the young son of a store manager who had been diagnosed with a brain tumour.
From that moment on, Oliver became their “why”.
The team went on to sponsor a bear in his honour, which now sits at his former primary school. In 2021, they sponsored the main snowflake and invited Oliver to switch on the lights, making him feel part of something special. After his passing, the team continued fundraising in his memory – and for every child and family who needs extra support.
Maddy said. “We try to do as much as we can because we know when the money goes to the charity, it makes a real difference to people’s lives,”
Today, Maddy works alongside a dedicated group of Morrisons Community Champions: Marisa Leeming (Halfway), Kate Fairey (Meadowhead), Emma Glover and Angela Booth (Catcliffe). Together, they organise events, collections and creative fundraising activities across their stores and local communities.
Their efforts are wide-ranging. From tombolas and in-store collections to selling charity merchandise and 3D-printed lion keyrings made by Maddy’s husband, they are always finding new ways to raise funds. They regularly attend local fairs and galas – including plans for Beighton Gala and events in Woodseats this summer – giving their time outside of working hours, especially as store hours have been reduced.
Maddy said “It makes it even more special that we do it in our own time”.
Their fundraising also benefits from Morrisons’ match funding scheme, which doubles the impact of what they raise, up to £1,000 per colleague. It’s support that has helped them achieve remarkable results.
In the past year alone, the team raised £5,000 ahead of Christmas through the charity’s light campaigns, with additional match funding on top. Maddy herself has personally raised over £1,400 and counting.
Since 2019, Maddy and the wider Morrisons team have raised more than £100,000 for Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity, as well as donating countless gifts including Christmas presents, Easter eggs, food and essentials for patients and families.
Among their many achievements, Maddy recalls one moment that stands out. At the age of 59, and terrified of heights, she signed up for her first charity abseil.
“I got to the top and said, ‘I can’t do this,’” she remembers. “But someone said to me, ‘Have you raised a lot of money? Because the charity won’t get that if you don’t.’ And that was it – I knew I had to do it.”
She raised £2,500 that year. The following year, she did it again, this time bringing colleagues along with her.
Now, the team has turned its focus to Pride of Yorkshire, where their fundraising will sponsor one of the sculptures on the trail. After attending the recent selection event, they’re eagerly waiting to find out if they secured their first choice.
They’re excited to see their hard work recognised on the sculpture plaque, representing not just Morrisons, but the wider community that has supported them along the way.
For Maddy, the motivation has never changed.
“My first thought is always the cancer ward because of Oliver,” she says. “But there are so many children who need extra help. Every pound raised makes a difference.”
There’s a real sense of pride in everything they do, not just in the amount raised, but in knowing it will have an impact.
If Maddy and her fellow Community Champions have shown anything, it’s that fundraising doesn’t have to start big. It can begin with a raffle prize, a conversation, or a simple idea and grow into something that changes lives.
If you’re inspired to start fundraising in your own workplace, our Corporate Team would love to support you. Get in touch at corporate@sheffieldchildrens.org to find out how you can get involved.
