University Tower Tours Hit £50,000 Milestone for Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity
By Charities Correspondent
Thousands of visitors have now climbed to the top of the University of Bristol’s Wills Memorial Building through its popular tower tours, raising funds for The Grand Appeal, the dedicated charity for Bristol Children’s Hospital.
Informal tours of the striking Neo-Gothic building began nearly two decades ago, driven by staff and student curiosity about what lay behind its impressive facade.
Their popularity grew so much that scheduled tours were introduced and opened to the public in exchange for charitable donations.
The tours are coordinated and run by guides Gary Nott, Senior Estates Assistant at the Wills Memorial Building, and Sarah Price, Engagement Officer in the Global Engagement Division.
Gary Nott, Senior Tour Guide, said: “For 25 years, we’ve helped raise lots of money for The Grand Appeal by welcoming visitors from all over the world to the Wills Memorial Building. Recently, I was able to visit some of the facilities provided by The Grand Appeal to families of sick children, and it was amazing to see first-hand where the money we have raised has been going. We hope to continue to welcome lots of visitors over the coming years.”
In recognition of his outstanding efforts, Gary Nott was presented with a Golden Gromit for his exceptional contributions to The Grand Appeal.
Professor Judith Squires, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, said:
“We are delighted that such a significant sum has been raised for an outstanding cause. Gary Nott and his team have worked tirelessly to welcome members of the public into the Wills Memorial Building, helping to generate £50,000 in support of the dedicated charity for Bristol Children’s Hospital, The Grand Appeal.
"This remarkable achievement will make a real difference, ensuring that children and their families continue to receive the highest standard of care.”
Kate Jones, Community Fundraising Manager, The Grand Appeal, added:
“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported these tours over the years. Raising £50,000 is an amazing achievement and will make a real difference to the lives of sick babies and children cared for at Bristol Children’s Hospital. Every donation helps us provide the specialist equipment, facilities and support that families need during the toughest times.”
The Wills Memorial Building recently celebrated its centenary.
Great George, the 9.5 tonne bell which sits tower, rang out on the 9 June 2025 to mark 100 years since the building was officially opened by King George V and Queen Mary in 1925.
The building houses the University’s Law School and the School of Earth Sciences, in addition to hosting graduation ceremonies twice a year and a wide range of public events.
Hundreds of thousands of students have graduated in the Great Hall, along with many notable people who have been awarded honorary degrees, including Thomas Hardy, Dick King Smith, Daniel Day Lewis, Charlotte Richie, Terry Pratchett, Derren Brown, James Blunt, Matt Lucas, and Jamie Demetriou.
Visitors on the tours are given the opportunity to experience the splendour of the Great Hall, Council Chamber and ornate libraries, and to climb to the top of the building’s tower where the view of Bristol is unparalleled.
The tours also give a unique insight into the history of the building, including the damage caused by the Bristol Blitz, and a whole host of famous visitors such as Winston Churchill, the University’s Chancellor from 1929 to 1965.
