WM Features

Mariella is a BBC WM Kidney Kid

14th July 2008 - BBC WM Kidney Kidney Kids Appeal launches

Our campaign to raise £1.5 million to buy a new renal unit for Birmingham Children's Hospital begins, with BBC WM's Phil Upton @ Breakfast broadcasting live from the hospital itself.

Later that day, highlights of Phil meeting staff, parents and children are part of BBC Midlands Today's coverage of the launch.

Nazifa is a BBC WM Kidney Kid

The Kidney Kids Jewellery Collection opens in the Public Space at BBC Birmingham in The Mailbox.

Unwanted jewellery can be dropped off here, or at various other collection points across the West Midlands, where it is recycled and exchanged for cash and donated to the appeal.

11th August 2008 - Phil Upton's 80 mile bike ride

BBC WM's Phil Upton and various other dads from his home village cycle 80 miles around the West Midlands to raise money for the appeal.

Phil Upton and team

BBC WM listeners across the West Midlands start to plan and hold their own events, ranging from car boot sales to sponsored runs.

9th September 2008 - BBC WM announces £191,726.51 raised so far

21st September 2008 - Mascot race at The Hawthorns

Wolfie - the official mascot for Wolverhampton Wanderers - won a mascot race during half time in West Bromwich Albion's clash with Aston Villa. Bets had been placed on which 'athlete' would win - with proceeds going to Kidney Kids.

Dave Heeley - (aka Blind Dave)

26th October 2008 - 'Team Blind Dave' run the Birmingham half marathon

'Blind' Dave Heeley - who shot to fame by becoming the first blind blind person in the world to run seven marathons on seven continents in seven days - competes in the Birmingham half marathon for Kidney Kids.

Dave is joined by 200 other runners - many of them BBC WM listeners - and together they raise £30,000 for the Kidney Kids Appeal.

"With Sir Michael being a Birmingham man I felt it was really important to show him how wonderful BBC WM have been with the Kidney Kids campaign," said Tracy.

19th December 2008 - BBC WM announces £363,650.88 raised so far

9th January 2009 - Nine year old gets Duncan Bannatyne to part with £1,000

Nine year old Campbell Morgan's painting of a kidney impresses Dragon's Den star Duncan Bannatyne so much that he donates £1,000 to Kidney Kids Appeal. Campbell underwent a kidney transplant himself in October

Joanne Malin campaigning for Kidney Kids

30th January 2009 - BBC WM's Phone's 4 Kids

BBC WM's newest presenter Joanne Malin launches Phones 4 Kids - where old mobile phones can be recycled and turned into cash for Kidney Kids. Throughout the day, Jo visits various homes and schools collecting old mobiles, ahead of the launch of her new show 'Mornings With Joanne Malin', weekdays from 10am on BBC WM.

5th February 2009 - Theo Paphitis becomes dragon #2 to join the cause

Not wishing to be outdone by his Dragon's Den co-star, Theo Paphitis immediately donates £1,000 live on Phil Upton @ Breakfast upon learning of Bannatyne's actions.

Campbell Morgan

3rd April 2009 - BBC WM announces £630,000 raised so far

Over 12,500 children in schools across the West Midlands joined in BBC WM's 'Big Sit Still'. The idea was for them to raise sponsorship money for Kidney Kids by sitting still for part of a lesson or break - because that's what children on dialysis have to do for four hours, up to three times a week.

4th April 2009 - Soul and Motown Party

BBC WM's Jenny Wilkes hosted a special party at the Brookfields Club in Wolverhampton to raise money for the appeal. BBC WM listeners from across the West Midlands put their dancing shoes on and partied the night away. Total raised: £2,500

2nd June 2009 - An evening of inspiration

Hundreds filled the Birmingham Town Hall for a night of entertainment hosted by BBC WM's Joe Aldred and Nikki Tapper. Total raised: £2,173

12th June 2009  - BBC WM announces £1,068,031.12 million raised so far

We still need your help to reach our target of £1.5 million to buy a new renal unit for Birmingham Children's Hospital. If you have a fundraising activity planned, please let us know about it below: