If you joined one of our Christmas events in 2024, you may have noticed something missing on the table – Christmas crackers! But we had a very special reason for that…
This Christmas, we decided to trade the tradition of crackers for giving back to our local community. Instead of laying crackers on tables during our festive events, we pledged to donate the money that would have been spent on them to two amazing local causes: Sheffield Children’s Hospital and Weston Park Cancer Charity.
A Christmas with a Difference
The results? A cracker of a success! Thanks to our initial pledge and the generosity of our partygoers, an incredible £7,000 was raised – meaning that £3,500 will be donated to each charity, helping to spread a little extra magic and hope this Christmas season.
“We wanted to try something a bit different this year and make Christmas at the OEC not just memorable but meaningful,” said Martrece Jones, Events Manager. “While we missed the terrible jokes and party hats, knowing we’ve helped two incredible charities that are close to our hearts and the people of South Yorkshire makes it more than worth it.”
Making Christmas Meaningful
Both The Children’s Hospital Charity and Weston Park Cancer Charity play a vital role in supporting families and individuals in Sheffield and beyond. We hope that the funds raised will help these charities continue their incredible work, from groundbreaking treatments to patient care.
Our initiative may have made the tables a little quieter, but it made a huge impact in giving back! From all of us at OEC Sheffield, a huge thank you to everyone who dined, danced, and donated with us this year – together, you’ve made this festive season truly one to remember.
Keep an eye on our Live Events page for the reveal of our 2025 Christmas events in a couple of months.
In the meantime, discover more about these incredible charities and how you can donate:
The Children’s Hospital Charity: www.tchc.org.uk
Weston Park Cancer Charity: www.westonpark.org.uk