The money will go towards modernising the hospital's Burns Centre

Former Wolves and England defender Joleon Lescott has donated £11,500 towards a £1.5 million appeal to transform Birmingham Children's Hospital's Burns Centre, where he was treated as a child.

The former footballer has thrown his support behind Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity's latest fundraising campaign, which was launched to mark National Burns Awareness Day on Wednesday, October 14.

Lescott, who spent around four months in hospital following a road traffic accident as a youngster, presented the charity with the donation after winning a celebrity Pro Am Padel Tournament at the end of last year.

Joleon Lescott (far left) presenting £11,500 donation cheque, with patient Elizabeth Soffe (centre right, front) and Burns Centre clinical staff | Birmingham's Childre Hospital

placeholder image — Joleon Lescott (far left) presenting £11,500 donation cheque, with patient Elizabeth Soffe (centre right, front) and Burns Centre clinical staff | Birmingham's Childre Hospital

The money will go towards modernising the hospital's Burns Centre, which treats around 850 children every year and is one of just five specialist paediatric burns centres in the country.

The centre has not undergone a major update since opening in 2007, with the charity now hoping to raise £1.5 million to improve its inpatient and outpatient facilities.

Lescott said: "I spent about four months in Birmingham Children's Hospital as a child and it'll always be a place that's close to my heart.

"I'm delighted the winnings from the padel tournament have kick started such an incredible transformation of the Burns Centre, an area of the hospital I'll always have a strong connection to."

Joleon Lescott (second left) with patient Elizabeth Soffe (centre right, front) | Birmingham Children's Hospital

The former defender's donation, alongside a further £750,000 pledged by the charity's network of philanthropic Changemakers, has given the appeal a significant boost.

With £761,500 already committed, the charity is calling on the public to help raise the remaining £738,500.

During his visit, Lescott met staff and 12-year-old patient Elizabeth Soffe, who has been receiving treatment at the hospital since she was six months old.

Elizabeth suffered burns to 60 per cent of her body after her cot caught fire following an air conditioning unit malfunction at her family's home in Qatar.

She was flown to Birmingham Children's Hospital for lifesaving treatment and has since undergone more than 100 operations and procedures, including skin grafts and reconstructive surgery.

Elizabeth continues to attend the hospital regularly for physiotherapy, occupational therapy and treatment for her scars.

She said: "The hospital has been a huge part of my life since I was a baby. For kids like me, who come here a lot, it needs to be somewhere they want to be, if they need to be here.

"It's important it looks nice and friendly. It needs to be a place they feel happy, so I think it's great the hospital is making these changes.

"For anyone thinking of giving money to the Burns Centre Appeal, I'd say go for it. You'll be helping a lot of children."

Plans for the transformation include a new high-dependency bed for the most seriously injured patients, improvements to two private rooms for children at greater risk of infection and a dedicated laser treatment room.

The ward's playroom will also be revamped to provide separate areas for different age groups, therapy sessions and families.

Meanwhile, the outpatient department will benefit from a new child-friendly reception area, designed to help ease anxiety ahead of appointments.

Matt Boazman, chief executive of Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Our world-renowned Burns Centre cares for children and young people with some of the most complex and challenging burns from across the UK and often becomes a second home for families needing ongoing care and treatment.

"We know that by creating a healing environment we will be helping to improve the physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing for all of the children and young people we care for, creating a space which fully supports them in their recovery."

Mark Brider, chief executive of Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity, added: "This is a powerful appeal and we know the public will get behind us.

"We're so thrilled to have a head start on our fundraising thanks to Joleon and our philanthropic network of Changemakers. I would urge people to donate so we can support our patients on their healing journey."

For more information or to donate, visit bch.org.uk/burns-centre-appeal.