11 June 2009
Superheroes don't often visit hospitals, but at Queen Mary's Hospital for Children, which is based at St Helier Hospital, a team of movie stars and cartoon characters are set to stay for a while.
A number of superhero cut-outs, including Batman, Spiderman and The Incredibles have been donated to the hospital by St Patrick's Church in Wallington and now sit proudly on the walls of the waiting room.
Clair Padovan, a mother of one of the hospital's long-term patients said: "Every year the local church, St Patrick's, runs a holiday club for children, and these cut-outs were made to decorate the church hall. They were an instant hit with the children and we knew that they would look fantastic at the hospital, so we asked if they could be given to Queen Mary's once the church were finished with them. Luckily they said yes, and now all of the children and visitors of Queen Mary's can enjoy looking at them.
"Kids associate these characters with happy times - like watching a good movie at home. It's great to have something that can cheer them up and make them feel happy, especially during times when they are not feeling very well."
The characters were designed and made by church members Stephen Crawley and Paul Robertson, who both came into the hospital last week to put the final touches to their designs. Stephen said: "We're really pleased to have been able to give these figures to the hospital. Anything that we can do to make the children here smile is completely worthwhile."
Queen Mary's Hospital for Children is currently in its centenary year, and as part of the year-long celebrations, staff and friends of the hospital will be taking part in the Carshalton Carnival later this month They will be wearing fancy dress, which will follow this year's carnival theme of planets and will be pushing a hospital bed round the route, so they shouldn't be hard to spot.
If you would like to donate money to the cause or become involved in fundraising for the centenary, please contact paediatric senior nurse, Sue Collis by emailing sue.collis@esth.nhs.uk or calling 020 8296 2458.
All money raised will be put into the centenary fund which will be used to purchase vital medical equipment and to provide essential play and educational materials for children who attend the hospital. In particular, fundraisers are hoping to build an outside play area for the young patients, which will cost around £26,000.
