15 November 2016
Give a lasting gift this Christmas: Support Bristol children’s hospital
Above & Beyond has launched its Christmas Appeal to raise
£20,000 for Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. The special appeal
has been created so that people can give a lasting gift in support
of the hospital, its patients and their families.
Over 5,000 children will spend the festive period in Bristol
children's hospital away from the comfort of their own home, family
and friends. Many will be in with winter illnesses such as
pneumonia and have to be cared for in isolation, others will be
being treated for life-limiting conditions such as congenital heart
disease, cancer and cystic fibrosis.
By donating to the Above & Beyond Christmas Appeal, people
will be able to help the hospital sprinkle the magic of Christmas
across wards and departments.
Each year, the hospital relies on charitable donations to buy
festive decorations, fund craft workshops and purchase sensory and
specialist equipment for patients and their siblings.
Miranda Webb, Play Specialist at the children's hospital,
explains more about the difference the donations will make:
"It's the little things that make all the difference and help us
bring Christmas to the patients. We try and make two or three
things a day happen that are 'Chrismassy'. We do a lot of arts and
crafts activities so children can decorate their rooms and make
them as festive as possible. We also help them make cards and
presents for their families so they've got something to give on
Christmas Day too - that's really important.
"We need a constant supply of arts
and crafts materials throughout the year - things like card, paint
and glitter which allow children to play and just be
children. It's surprising how much this all adds up and as
there is no NHS budget for it, we rely on the support of
others.
The funds from the Christmas Appeal will also help to create
comforting environments and provide new state-of-the-art facilities
and sensory equipment, such as light panels, outdoor glockenspiels
and mirrors, to provide mental and physical stimulation. These can
cost as much as £1,000 and are constantly in demand.
Sarah Talbot-Williams, CEO of Above & Beyond added:
"This appeal provides the opportunity for people to give a
lasting gift this Christmas. Hospital can sometimes seem like a
scary place but to see how brave and courageous these children are,
when faced with things even adults would find difficult, is
amazing.
"Your support, really will mean the world to patients and their
families. For example, £5 will pay for a ceramic star for children
to decorate and give as a gift on Christmas Day."
If you would like to donate, or you know a business that might
like to get involved in the appeal, please
click here.
You can also Tweet @aboveandbeyond1
#sprinklesomemagic
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