Dear Members,
I am extremely proud and privileged to represent you and our membership as your MTA President.
The role gives me many opportunities to see how the technologies and innovations our members are responsible for can make a huge difference in so many areas of life when they are applied.
Earlier this year, at the MTA Dinner, I saw a really powerful video of a young boy called Charlie.
Charlie is a happy young boy. He is seriously visually impaired and bravely participated in a new research study to see how augmented reality could be used as a visual aid for such children.
To say the result was profoundly moving and beautiful would be an understatement. With his mum encouraging him by his side, we heard him express his joy because he saw things he had never been able to see before.
There weren’t many dry eyes left in the room.
The technology Charlie trialled is called SightPlus. It’s designed to enhance a child’s remaining sight, and help them see life in more detail than ever before.
That very technology, alongside the likes of mechanics, automation and robotics, artificial intelligence, and additive manufacturing, are just some of the groundbreaking innovations that will be available to children across the United Kingdom at The National Centre for Child Health Technology (NCCHT).
The NCCHT will be a state-of-the-art facility that will design, create and test child health technologies for a healthier future for our children by combining the excellence of modern medicine and paediatrics with cutting-edge technology and future-focused engineering and machining.
Now, I’ve long been a supporter of The Children’s Hospital Charity. Previous campaigns I’ve been involved with include building and equipping bedroom suites for parents to stay close to their loved ones, and building a helipad to cope with emergencies and save young lives in the most desperate circumstances.
Government budgets and finances often cannot support The Children’s Hospital Charity for such projects as all the money is soaked up by the daily care costs, which are understandably huge.
The organisation is very close to my heart, but I’d like it to be close to yours this year, too.
That’s because the MTA has partnered with the charity in 2024 and beyond to support their efforts in raising more than £2 million for this groundbreaking facility.
Today, I’d like to offer MTA members the chance to be part of something bigger—to join me and the MTA on this vital journey and be part of the children’s healthcare revolution.
The first step you can take is to join me in supporting the charity’s annual Snowflake Appeal. It’s a wonderful festive event that sees the streets of Sheffield alight with magical snowflakes – shining brightly thanks to the kind sponsorship from people like you.
By sponsoring a Snowflake this Christmas, you can play a foundational role in the MTA and Children’s Hospital Charity’s mission to raise essential funds for the NCCHT.
Your kindness today is the first step towards providing children up and down the country with the greatest gift of all – a brighter future.
If you’re interested in sponsoring a Snowflake this Christmas, click the link here to book one today or feel free to contact me.
When completing the online form, be sure to select Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park G1 Building (MTA) from the dropdown menu in Section 2 (Where would you like your snowflake?).
Thank you,
Tony Bowkett
MTA President & Nikken CEO