Friends of Sick Kids provide a new place for playing

Published on Monday 10 August 2009 09:59

YOUNG cancer patients at the Sick Kids hospital have been given a new play area and a radical upgrade of bathroom facilities after a major fundraising drive.

Nearly 30,000 has been raised for the project to benefit youngsters in the oncology ward at the Sciennes hospital.

The Sick Kids Friends Foundation was eager to provide for cancer patients at the younger end of the scale, given that the Teenage Cancer Trust is working towards two new state-of-the-art facilities for older children in both the Sick Kids and the Western General.

As well as the creation of another playroom, the toilet and washing facilities will be significantly expanded, with another cubicle added.

Both staff and parents have pointed out in the past that the old facilities don't provide sufficient comfort and dignity for sometimes very sick patients.

Maureen Harrison, chief executive of the charity, said that giving youngsters as normal an environment as possible was absolutely key.

She said: "We listened to what the children and staff told us about their needs and have provided a lovely bright playroom, with a wet area for painting and art as well as the usual toys, soothing light bubble tubes and our very special computer internet access, KIDSnet.

"None of this work would have been possible without the tremendous support from the public who join us in our aim of making the Sick Kids better for all the children from the east of Scotland and beyond who receive care here.

"For little children especially, play is a vital part of development and we wanted to ensure that they had the best possible surroundings to enjoy a bit of normality and fun in between treatments."

The impressive cash sum raised proves the charity is capable of raising significant sums even while a separate arm of its organisation is attempting to generate 15 million for the new Sick Kids hospital when it moves to Little France in 2012.

The New Pyjamas campaign is running alongside current initiatives for patients to benefit now, rather than all cash going into the pot for four years into the future, and charity chiefs will be pleased that the two projects are working well in tandem.

Two-year-old leukaemia patient Alex Young is one child who will benefit from the improved surroundings. Philip Young, the father of the Aberdeen girl, said that both Alex and her five-year-old brother Lucas enjoyed the painting exercises they were able to do in the hospital as she awaited treatment for the disease.

"Everyone in this place has been fantastic," he said.