Help brighten the day of a young patient with the Epsom and St Helier toy appeal

Christmas and the festive season is usually a time to spend with loved ones, but for children and young people staying in hospital, spending the holidays feeling unwell and poorly on a ward can be a very lonely time.

That’s why Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children is launching a toy appeal and with your help, we hope to bring a little happiness into their stay this festive season.

Staff in our dedicated children’s hospital are kindly requesting new toy and book donations to give out on Christmas Day to all our paediatric patients. Lorna Bramwells, Head of Nursing for Paediatrics and Neonates, said: “Our young patients are away from all their usual Christmas activities whilst in hospital, toys can often be: comforting, a distraction, fun to play with, a way to relieve boredom and motivation for recovery and rehabilitation. We also recognise that some toys can help some children to relieve any anxieties that they may face regarding their stay away from home."

"You can help to ensure that a child has a gift to open by sending in new toys or books for children aged between 0–16years old. Whether you would like to donate just one gift or more, we would really appreciate any donations we receive, no matter how big or small.”

What the children like to play with:

board games/puzzles
dolls/action figures
soft toys
CD players/CDs
developmental toys such as stacking blocks
arts and crafts such as paints and Playdough
sensory toys such as Bop It and fidget toys.

Unfortunately we are not able to accept second hand toys due to infection control and health and safety guidelines.

Donations can be dropped at our Queen Marys Hospital for Children’s Outpatient Department at St Helier Hospital, Wrythe Lane, Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 1AA between 9am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Play Specialist, Amanda Laughton on 020 8296 2000 extension 8760.