Greater Brighton lit emerald as Rockinghorse raises over £50,000 Brighton News

Hosted by TV presenter Marcella Whittingdale, a long-time supporter of the charity, an incredible £59,000 was raised during the evening.

All money will be used to support a range of projects that contribute to the mental health and wellbeing of hundreds of children across Sussex.

The charity is funding an innovative youth worker program at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton, which has proven to be an effective tool in reducing a range of A&E admissions for self-harm and suicide attempts among vulnerable young people.

Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital pediatric consultant Dr Mohammed Rahman spoke movingly to guests about the dramatic increase in the number and severity of children and young people presenting to the children’s emergency department with serious problems of mental health.

Dr Rahman said: “The lockdown has also affected what we see in the children’s emergency department and the types of patients requiring hospital admission. Over the past year or so, we’ve had a huge increase in the number of teenagers we see with mental health issues. And while we’re doing our best, we just don’t have time to explore some of their underlying issues.

“This is where the introduction of a youth leader is really important. This is something that has been tried and tested in other hospitals similar to ours and we desperately need this additional resource.

Alongside this, the charity has also raised funds for three wellness projects that support children and young people struggling to manage long-term chronic health conditions.

The projects, swimming days at sea, art therapy and wellness in the woods, help young people explore their feelings, develop coping strategies and share their experiences with other young people in the same boat.

Speaking about these plans at the ball, Donna Holland, Chief Executive of Rockinghorse Children’s Charity, said: ‘Children and young people have been disproportionately affected by the events of the past two years, missing out on so many things they normally do. , and it left a lasting impact on their mental health and well-being.

“But thanks to our wonderful guests and sponsors who celebrated with us tonight, we will be able to make Sussex a safer place for children and young people.”

Throughout the evening, guests were treated to performances by Brighton Institute students, who sang two numbers from the musical Wicked, a three-course meal, live music from Allison David followed by disco courtesy of Capital DJ, Dave Goodings.

There was also support from one of the charity’s longtime supporters, local boxing legend Chris Eubank Jnr, who donated a pair of signed boxing gloves to the auction .

In a video message to guests, he said: “I’ve worked with Rockinghorse a few times in the past and just wanted to show some support by signing a pair of one of my favorite boxing gloves and wearing them. donating to charity, then they can auction them off and hopefully raise a lot of money for one of the most important causes.