Wiltshire family's thank you to RUH Children's Ward

Young patients at the Royal United Hospital Children's Ward in Bath now have more toys and games to entertain them, thanks to the generosity of a Wiltshire family and their local community.

Parents Anna and Richard Harding, from North Bradley, whose son Luke is being treated for leukaemia, were so grateful for the care he's received that they organized a coffee morning – and raised more than £700.

Luke's mother Anna said: "We've become regulars here and over the months thought about raising money to buy some items that would really benefit the ward.

"Any parent who's spent time in hospital knows just how bored children can get without things to do. Toys and activities really helped Luke, particularly when he was being treated in an isolation room.

"We asked the play leaders what was on their wish list, and thanks to all our very generous neighbours, managed to buy useful things like DVD players and films, glitter tattoos, pen and pencil sets, and even replacement microwaves for the family rooms."

Luke made a special return visit to the Children's Ward, with sister Clara, 10, to present their gifts to staff.

Mrs Harding said: "This place has become like a second home – the nurses and specialists and all the staff we've met have become like family to us."

Children's Ward Senior Sister Melanie Gittins said: "We're really grateful to Luke and his family and friends. It's so important for our young patients to be able to play and have fun while they are with us. This donation will help us to carry on doing all we can to provide fun and engaging activities to help distract children from their illnesses and injuries and make their stay that bit brighter."

ENDS

Notes to Editor

• The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust provides acute treatment and care for a catchment population of around 500,000 people in Bath, and the surrounding towns and villages in North East Somerset and Western Wiltshire. The hospital provides healthcare to the population served by four Clinical Commissioning Groups: Bath & North East Somerset CCG, Wiltshire CCG, Somerset CCG and South Gloucestershire CCG.
• The Trust has 759 beds and a comprehensive range of acute services including medicine and surgery, services for women and children, accident and emergency services, and diagnostic and clinical support services.
• In 2015 The Royal United Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was acquired the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD) NHS Foundation Trust. The RNHRD treats patients from across the country offering services in rheumatology, chronic pain, chronic fatigue syndrome/ME, cancer related fatigue and fatigue linked to other long term conditions such as multiple sclerosis.
• The RUH is changing - we have an exciting programme of redevelopment underway transforming our site and further improving the services we provide. The Trust is now working towards building a purpose built RNHRD and Therapies Centre and a new Dyson Cancer Centre. For more details visit: www.ruh.nhs.uk/fit4future
• For more information about the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust visit: www.ruh.nhs.uk

Download printable version