The generous donation of boxes full of toys and crafting supplies is already having a “magical effect” on young patients on the Children’s Ward at St Mary’s Hospital.
The delivery was as a result of the Toy Trust’s annual charity fundraiser held on the Isle of Wight on Saturday (8th June 2014). Over 255 toy industry executives took part in the sponsored cycling and running event which raised £174,000 for the Toy Trust. The funds and toys are being distributed to organisations that help children with disabilities, including the Isle of Wight NHS Trust.
Dionne Davies, Play Specialist on the Children’s Ward at St Mary’s Hospital, helped co-ordinate the donations which included portable DVD players, DVDs and craft supplies. Dionne said:
“We were absolutely thrilled with the amazing selection that has been donated. It means that there will be much more for the children to do, to help make their stay more bearable and make the hospital environment less clinical and more fun.”
The toys are already giving patients a welcome boost. Dionne added:
“One little girl on the ward was given a portable DVD to watch the Disney film ‘Frozen’ from her bed. She described it as the ‘highlight’ of her stay and so the donations are really having a magical effect across the ward.”
Toy Trust Big Challenge Organiser, Nick Austin, said:
“Given the appalling weather conditions at the start, this year’s Big Challenge event was a real triumph of human spirit in the face of adversity. We raised an incredible amount of money for the Toy Trust and had great fun in the process!”
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Photographed L-R: Nick Austin, Ed Nattrass, Peter Ridgewell, Matt Jones, Roland Earl and Pauline Martin, Ward Clerk, Children’s Ward, St Mary’s Hospital
