FOR 50 years Rockinghorse has been helping sick children get better.

The children's charity has announced its plans for its golden jubilee year and hopes to raise £500,000 during 2017.

Ryan Heal, chief executive of Rockinghorse, has launched the charity's fundraising appeal in celebration of their anniversary year - called Sussex Giving for Sussex Children.

The charity aims to provide £500,000 worth of funding which will be split between 10 children’s centres and paediatric services in Sussex to help them improve, refurbish, and develop their environment for the young people who benefit from their work.

Mr Heal said: “2017 represents our Golden Jubilee – a time for celebration and continuing to make a real impact on the lives of local children. We are delighted to launch our fundraising appeal for our anniversary year; Sussex Giving for Sussex Children. By supporting services across Sussex, we can continue the legacy of the work of Rockinghorse, enabling us to support children and young people for the next 50 years.

“Time moves on, but for 50 years our message has remained the same. As the late great Dr Trevor Mann said – ‘We can’t always stop children getting sick, but with your help we can make them better’.”

Rockinghorse was founded by Dr Trevor Mann in 1967 in recognition of a shortfall and restrictions around paediatric care in Sussex.

It is best known as the official fundraising arm of the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital (The Alex) in Brighton.

Lady Mary Mumford, lady-in-waiting to Princess Alexandra, said: “When Dr Trevor Mann invited me to become patron of Rockinghorse 50 years ago, I never envisaged celebrating our Golden Jubilee. It has been an honour and a privilege to be the charity’s only Patron for every one of those 50 years.

“I wish everyone involved with Rockinghorse a very special year and here’s to the next half century of extraordinary work helping our sick children.”

To find out more about the charity’s 50th year projects, and how you can get involved, visit rockinghorse.org.uk.