How you can help children at Addenbrooke’s through festive toy appeal

An appeal has been launched this Christmas by Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust to raise funds for specially designed toys to help children understand their treatment.

Children are often wary of the new environment and scared of what might happen when they come into hospital.

Nurses use specialist toys, which include a Lego MRi machine, to show children who are about to have certain procedures what will happen so there are no surprises.

Critical care matron Jane Olds said: “No child wants to be in hospital at Christmas time. It’s heartbreaking to see so many poorly children here at this time of year. Hospitals can be a frightening place for a young child. The thought of having treatment causes such anxiety and distress.

“We can’t magic away their fears but we can help children understand their treatment before it happens. Play therapy using specially modified toys can help prepare children for their hospital treatment.

“They help reduce fear and anxiety and they are fun, but we can’t buy them without your support. Your gift can make Christmas just a little bit better for a child in hospital.”

Fundraiser eight-year-old Isla Hastings, from Cambridgeshire, has given her backing to the appeal. She is one of 500 people in the world who has Freeman Sheldon Syndrome and raised almost £10,000 for the hospital where she has undergone 10 operations.

Isla also has Arthrogryposis and Scoliosis, which makes it hard for her to do the same things as other children and cycled 46 miles to raise the money. She has also won a silver Blue Peter pin badge for her efforts

The toys used by the hospital are not available from toy shops or online and can only be bought from specialist providers.

However, ACT cannot buy the toys without your support. Please help make Christmas a little better for a child in Addenbrooke’s. Donate now at www.helpyourhospital.co.uk/toy2022 or to donate £10 please text ‘TOY’ to 70560.