Daisy Appeal has launched its £3m ‘Scan for Life’ campaign
The Brignall family with Light the Way Rat, which now takes pride of place at the Queen’s Centre at Castle Hill Hospital(Image: daisyappeal.org)
The Daisy Appeal has launched a “Scan for Life” campaign to raise £3m for a state-of-the-art digital PET-CT scanner at Castle Hill Hospital. Building on the huge success of engaging sculpture trail A Mischief of Rats, the charity has introduced three illustrated rat characters who will drive awareness and fundraising for this life-changing technology.
The campaign stars Daisy Rat, who charmed communities during the sculpture trail in real life, alongside two new characters – Scientist Rat and Scanner Rat – who have yet to be named. Everyone is invited to get involved by entering the fun competition to name them.
Individuals, community groups, and schools are all encouraged to take part, sharing their most creative ideas for the new characters’ names. Please send chosen names to daisy@daisyappeal.org
Scan for Life promises world-class diagnostic imaging closer to home for cancer, heart disease, and dementia patients across Hull, East Yorkshire, and North Lincolnshire. The Daisy Appeal’s new digital PET-CT scanner will deliver faster, more precise results – reducing waiting times and expanding access for NHS patients at the Jack Brignall Centre at Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham.
Professor Nick Stafford said: “We’re thrilled to continue the playful, community spirit of A Mischief of Rats through our new rat characters. From art trail to life-saving scanner, beyond support the campaign has raised so far, we are asking the public and businesses to help us raise our target £3m.
“Every donation, share on social media, and sponsorship brings us closer to Scan for Life.” The campaign will help raise awareness of three key areas:
- Scan for Answers: Shorter waits mean emotional relief from “limbo weeks”, guiding consultants’ treatment decisions, with follow-up imaging supporting ongoing care
- Scan for More Time: Early diagnosis unlocks better options, giving families more time together. The new digital scanner will boost annual scan capacity to meet growing demand
- Scan for the Future: New tracers developed by the Daisy Appeal’s research team target prostate cancer, dementia, and children’s conditions. Hull joins only five UK centres with full-body digital PET capability, strengthening national research
Karen Hall, Daisy Appeal’s business manager, said: “We’re immensely grateful to the J F Brignall Charitable Trust for kindly sponsoring [rat sculpture] Light the Way, beautifully decorated by artist Gill Prendergast for the A Mischief of Rats trail. Donated by Tim and Kate Hazelwood, it now takes pride of place at the Queen’s Centre – perfectly kick-starting our Scan for Life campaign.”
Join the rats fun via the Daisy Appeal’s social media or search for “Daisy Appeal Scan for Life” and share your support.