Share your thoughts on Matalan’s Alder Hey campaigns - £300 voucher to be won NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

Having earned themselves a Mumsnet Family Friendly gold award, Matalan understand how to provide a great customer experience for families. However, what you might not know is that for the past 3 years they have also been working in partnership with Alder Hey Children’s hospital in Liverpool, to fund a life-saving innovation centre, for much needed research into finding cures for childhood conditions such as arthritis, cancer and diabetes.

So far in a bid to raise funds, Matalan have run campaigns selling alphabetical scarves, beanie and bobble hats, and striped pyjamas - with lots of big name celebrities getting involved too!

Matalan say “The partnership between Alder Hey and Matalan has been going for 3 years now. Back in 2014 we set about raising awareness of the hospital charity and how even though they are a North West based hospital they are in fact one of the busiest children’s hospital in Europe - treating children from right across the UK. As well as driving awareness we committed to raise £1.5M towards the new research and innovation centre that would benefit children across the country and in some cases the world. In just 3 years we've already smashed that target, raising £1.6M.”

Now Matalan want to hear your thoughts on their campaigns so far, as well as hearing your ideas for what products they would like to see in stores next year to help raise even more money.

Do take some time to watch the documentary about one of the children that has been helped by the new research centre and to find out more. Share on this thread which have been your favourite of the Matalan & Alder Hey campaigns so far and why? Have you ever purchased any of these products in the past or would you consider doing so in the future? The team at Matalan are also keen to hear your ideas for their future campaigns, so please add to the thread below with your ideas for future projects.

Previous campaigns include Alphabet Scarves in 2014, Bobble vs Beanie in 2015 and Get your Stripes PJs in 2016

Add your thoughts on the campaigns to date and your ideas on what they can do this year and you will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will get a £300 Love2Shop voucher (which can be spent in Matalan and other stores!).

Thanks and good luck
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It seems a great campaign to be involved in more organisations should make a determined effort for Charity.

I first saw this in the Christmas catalogue that came through the door. I really liked seeing the little girl with Downs modelling--would be great to see her in the main part of the catalogue.

Oh this is wonderful. I can't say I have noticed any promotions at my local Matalan. but will be looking out for them now.. Well done Matalan :)

So interesting to see the case study for JIA as my daughter also has it diagnosed at age 2 and it is SO important to raise awareness that this particular condition affects young children because so many kids don't get a prompt diagnosis because even GP's don't always recognise it and then the joint damage happens and it's irreversible. Prompt treatment with MTX or biologics can help PREVENT the damage being done.

In terms of campaigns, we love the bobble hat one - so simple to take part and easy to remember.

Future ideas...How about bringing back 80's style legwarmers! Me and my daughter wear leg warmers through the colder months to help with her and my arthritis so given this particular case study, there is a relevance there too.

It looks like a really good campaign that I'd be happy to support. I've never seen anything about it before so more advertising/promotions online in particular would help raise awareness for people like me who don't generally shop in Matalan (there isn't one near me).

In terms of ideas for future promotions I'd suggest themed lunch bags/boxes, drinks bottles and pencil cases.

It sounds great though I haven't seen it before.
My children would have liked the pj's. They would also like things like t-shirts, wellies, colouring books, skipping ropes, sweets.

I absolutely love the campaigns. I really wanted the scarves last year but saw them too late so our initials were out of stock

This year the DC wore the pyjamas with pride. Have you seen the photo of Joey Barton's family on Christmas Day with all generations in the pjs from toddlers to grandparents? Absolutely fantastic. Alder Hey is a great cause and the products are stylish and wearable. Keep it up. I would love to see sweatshirts with slogans on like Fighter, Hope etc

And a sweatshirt with Hey! On it would be great too.

In fact now I'm on a roll. What about sweatshirts with Hey Fighter
Hey Girl
Hey Boy
Hey People

I think this is just wonderful, what an amazing worthwhile cause to be supporting, I think everyone would agree.

A great cause and I have been aware of the merchandise but the stock levels always seem to be so low! I understand that this drums up exclusivity interest but surely means less money made for the charity?

This is the first I have heard of this partnership, but its a fantastic hospital and would support all work carried out by them. Great idea by Matalan but needs more advertising?

I think it is great, very attention grabbing

I think the campaign is brill. A cause which is saving the lives of children its inspirational.

I hadn't heard of the campaign. It is a great idea.

It is a shame they haven't advertised it as they could have raised so much more money and awareness. A bonus for Matalan would be that it would also show them in a good light.

The advertising need not be expensive if they use social media and run a few competitions with the promotional products as prizes

We live about ten minutes from Alder Hey and it's amazing, I bought the socks for us all but the pyjamas were constantly selling out. I definitely second a summer range and a festival range would be good too.

Both of my dc's have been helped by AH and it's always a comfort to know we're so close to such a brilliant children's hospital especially when my dd is very clumsy and has had several trips to A and E.

Absolutly amazing place. My friends little boy has had many visits there unfortunatly.... but each visit has helped him to keep going

I only have a limited awareness of the Matalan - Alder Hey connection, whether it is because I live in the South East, I'm not sure. I do recall the scarves as I bought one and it was good quality.

Thinking of future ideas, I think an enamel pin would be a good idea - it could also be sold year round to raise funds and maintain awareness of the link. In addition, I would suggest a range of single socks - it is quite fashionable to wear odd socks and there could be a range on offer.

I went to Liverpool University and now I'm living elsewhere I'm thrilled to support Alder Hey in this way . Please order more stock though , I couldn't get what I wanted this year .

I love the striped pyjamas. It's definitely fitting with the current "twinning" fashion too, as well as fundraising for a great charity. I am a Nurse & I wish there were more high profile campaigns like this one.

Great idea to raise awareness!! :-)xx

Its a brilliant idea, a great cause to raise both money and awareness for. Can you do it for other children's hospitals also? Like the Manchester one?

I didn't know that this campaign existed but I love when companies support charities and stick with them as 'their' charity. One thing they may need to do is advertise this a bit more. It is such a worthy cause :)

I like the ideas so far. And agree that the Hey logo could be incorporated. Maybe some unisex tops with Hey! on it?

Great idea - would have loved them for Christmas and for presents but just not available either instore or online. More stock please - ordering online and collecting doesn't take too much space in the shop but still gets people into the shop! Repeat of pjs but able to get some would be great!