7 April 2009
Easter is traditionally a time for children to run round the house playing Easter Egg hunts, eating as much chocolate as they can and having a few weeks off school. But, for children coming in to hospital, it’s not as easy to get excited about the holiday season.
So patients, parents and nurses at Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children were taken aback on Monday, when an Easter teddy and a giant chicken arrived with hampers full of Easter eggs for the patients.
Staff from the Holiday Inn Express at Epsom Downs dressed up and dropped in to hand out the presents and wish children a happy Easter.
10-year-old patient Robbie Brock (pictured) said: "It’s was really exciting having people coming round and giving Easter eggs to everyone. It was a really nice thing to do."
Sarah Smith is a children’s play therapist on the ward. She said: "It was fantastic. We knew they were coming, but we had no idea they’d be dressed up. The kids loved it, and the staff appreciated it too!"
Maria Robinson, General Manager of the Epsom Downs Holiday Inn Express, added: "We wanted give Easter presents to children who aren’t at home over the holidays. The staff at the hospital work so hard, we wanted to support them by dressing up, bringing gifts and giving the children a bit of a lift."
The children’s ward at Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children treats children with a variety of conditions, including genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis, as well as diabetes and asthma.
