The University of Cambridge has received $6.5 million from philanthropist K. Lisa Yang to enable the creation of The K. Lisa Yang Autism Clinical Centre, which will be part of the future Cambridge Children’s Research Institute. As a key part of the research vision of Cambridge Children’s Hospital, the centre will serve not only autistic people and their families but also clinicians, researchers, data scientists, and policy experts working collaboratively to improve outcomes. The gift is part of a bigger £28m donation, which will be used to create The K. Lisa Yang Centre for Autism Research at the University of Cambridge. Both research projects and services will be co-designed with the autism community, including parents.

Almost 100 children, young people, parents and carers from around the East of England joined us for a special celebration evening of the contributions they have made to the project. The event was hosted by Dame Mary Archer, Co-Chair of the Cambridge Children’s Campaign Board, and took place in her marquee and garden. Guests enjoyed an adventurous scavenger hunt, and were treated to ice cream and cakes, kindly supplied by Jack’s Gelato, Fitzbillies, and Waitrose. A wonderful time was had by all! Read about the Celebration evening.

The High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire visited the site of the new Cambridge Children’s Hospital to learn more about the benefits the facility will bring to the county and the East of England. He also presented special awards to patients and staff who have been involved in the project, including Pilgrim Pathways School, the Play Team at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, and members of Cambridge Children’s Network. Another special award went to the Regional Ambassadors, collected by Helen Pemberton from our Campaign Board. Read about the visit.

During June, we ran a campaign to show how Cambridge Children’s Hospital will wraparound the family, not just the child who is unwell. Right from the start, the new hospital has been designed with children, young people, parents and carers with lived experience, as well as NHS staff, ensuring we get the facility right for those who will use it. Read all the stories, including Kate's account of her family's experience, here.

For International Nurses Day, we spoke to Cambridge Children’s Clinical Lead Nurse Vicky Amiss-Smith about her career and why she is passionate about the Cambridge Children’s project. Read more from Vicky here. 

It was also the first ever National Children’s Nurses Day. What better way to mark this than by asking members of our Youth and Young Adult Forums for their memories of nurses who made a difference.

A new beautifully illustrated audio archive, based on the interview of hundreds of parents, has been launched acting as a guide for others as well as family-facing professionals. The team at Newham College interviewed hundreds of parents to focus on themes around children with complex needs, becoming a parent, and starting school. The archive puts parents’ experiences of change centre stage.

We’re delighted to welcome Price Bailey LLP as a new corporate partner of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust. Their support will focus on the new Children’s Hospital and enhance children’s services at Addenbrooke’s, creating a lasting impact for children, young people and families across the region.

Earlier this month, we were delighted to welcome some of our benefactors to an evening reception recognising the extraordinary contribution they have made to Cambridge Children’s Hospital. Held at the stunning Ray Dolby Centre, created by our construction partner Bouygues UK, the event offered guests a behind-the-scenes insight into how their support is helping to shape the future of children's healthcare in the East of England. 
  
Hosted by Shelly Thake, Chief Executive of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, the evening featured presentations from Dr Rob Heuschkel, Clinical Director for Cambridge Children’s Hospital, Fintan, Chair of the Youth Forum, and Dr Claudia Craven, Consultant in Paediatric Neurosurgery. Their insights provided a powerful reminder of the impact this hospital will have on generations of children, young people, and families and of the vital role philanthropy is playing in making it possible.

Thank you to everyone who has followed us on Facebook, Instagram and X over the last few years. Our audiences have helped us share the vision of the East of England’s first specialist children’s hospital. We are now expanding our reach. Later this summer, you will find us on LinkedIn. Watch this space!