Children's hospital lit up for Ramadan

A city's children's hospital has been lit up with a moon and stars display to mark the month of Ramadan.

It is the first time Sheffield Children's Hospital has celebrated the Muslim holy month in this way.

Each of the stars on the hospital's exterior has been sponsored with a donation to the hospital - including by local families, charities, and businesses.

John Armstrong, chief executive of the Children's Hospital Charity, said: "It's fantastic we're able to engage and work with the whole of the communities across our region."

Haroon Rashid, whose son Ayaan received care at the hospital before he died aged five in 2023, said he had seen the hospital's snowflake lights at Christmas and always hoped to see something similar for Ramadan.

Together with his daughter, who has also received care at the hospital for 14 years, Mr Rashid has been part of the campaign to find sponsors over the past six weeks.

They have delivered leaflets to businesses in Sheffield promoting the project.

But Mr Rashid said he had also sponsored a star of his own in Ayaan's memory.

"He was a lovely little boy, always very happy and joyful, and enjoyed life despite all the complications he faced - like his sister," he said.

"The best way of describing both of them is, no matter what they went through in their lives, they always had a broad smile on their face."

Mr Rashid said the Ramadan lights at the hospital would give an opportunity for those who cared for his son "to see that light and have a moment of reflection".

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