Donation improves Children's Therapies garden at RUH

A £1,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Bath has helped improve the Children's Therapies garden at the Royal United Hospital, (RUH) Bath. Thanks to the club's fundraising efforts, children now have even more ways to use the outdoor space to learn and practise activities which they have been taught in their therapy sessions.

Emily Graham, Head of Children's Therapies, RUH said:

"We are very grateful to the Rotary Club of Bath for their generous donation which has allowed us to purchase new outdoor toys, colourful and scented plants, garden ornaments, paint for the planters, and a Christmas tree. Members of the Rotary Club have also kindly refurbished one of the garden benches."

"The garden looks totally different; it's now an exciting outdoor space for children who attend as outpatients for physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy sessions. It's also a great change of scenery from the ward and helps motivate children of all age groups and abilities."

"We do have some money left over, so with the Club's blessing we are planning to spend it on a hand-held tablet to use as distraction and motivation for some of the children attending our therapy sessions."

Staff from the Children's Therapies Department invited members of the Rotary Club of Bath to come and see how their donation has transformed the garden. During the visit, Rotary Club of Bath President, Trevor Dawson said:

"Funding support for children, particularly those with acute or special needs, is one of our priorities at The Rotary Club of Bath. We were delighted to have been able to help fund the renovation of the play area. It's not simply a recreational facility, but a useful venue for therapeutic assessment, so children's abilities and progress can be assessed while they can relax and play."

"We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who donated at our fundraising events as we couldn't have done it without the public's support."

ENDS

Note to editors:

• The Rotary Club of Bath's 70 members arrange fund-raising events for the community, including the annual fireworks display on the Rec. and the Festival of Motoring in Lansdown. All funds raised go to local charities, and to specific humanitarian projects internationally.

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