Great to hear a good news story from the police. In their own words. Ed
Isle of Wight Police officers and staff have helped to make Christmas extra special for youngsters at St Mary’s hospital, Newport by collecting presents to donate to the Children’s Ward.
On Monday, December 17, representatives from Newport police station made a special trip to the unit to deliver two huge sacks of gifts.
A range of gifts
After liaising with Dionne Davis, the hospital children’s Play Specialist, the hospital received a range of different presents from soft toys for smaller children to arts and crafts and DVDs for the older children.
Dionne said: “Having gifts arrive for the children on the ward is a wonderful event as the staff know how much it means to an ill child to have a present on Christmas Day. Being in hospital on the best day of the year is pretty awful for a child of any age. Not only are they missing out on so much fun at home, they are also coping with an illness that has to be managed with strong medicines and sometimes invasive treatments.
“The visit from the officers and police staff on Monday afternoon brought a flurry of excitement and we were overwhelmed with your generosity as present after present spilled from the sacks. We had lots of poorly babies on the ward that day but two of our children were able to join in the fun and be entertained by PC Magic. It was lovely to hear laughter from the playroom!”
Children’s Ward
St. Mary’s Hospital Children’s Ward is a thirteen bedded unit with an additional six beds in the Day Ward for children having day surgery.
Being a general hospital we see children with all kinds of illnesses and surgical needs, although sometimes they will have to be transferred to the mainland for more specialist treatment.
Chief Inspector Nick Heelan said: “This was a great opportunity to help make a young person’s stay in hospital a better experience and I am delighted that colleagues have been so generous in response to the appeal.”
Photo: PCSO Stephen Hull (PC Magic), Dionne Davies (St Mary Children’s Play Specialist), *Elizabeth Collier-Bains, Karen Lord, Becky Smith*, Meisha McFarlane (aged 9-years), Special Constable Kellie D’Costa and Winston Hunnybun (aged 18-months) *police staff*
