Children tickled pink as bunny delivers top toys

CHRISTMAS arrived early for patients at Temple Street Children’s University Hospital yesterday.

The famous pink Duracell bunny arrived at the hospital's playroom with a sackful of what's tipped to be on most children's Christmas wish list this year.

Dillon O'Brien, five, from Dublin, did not mind at all that the top toy Air Hogs Helicopter, had been damaged in transit.

He held it high in his hands, waved it about and was soon lost in an imaginary game.

The runner-up was a remote controlled racing car, aptly called Whiplash. Again, batteries are required to juice it up, but once installed, it's all systems go.

Eight-year-old Fionn Fitzgibbon from Dublin was delighted to be first to test-drive the racing car while other children stared wide-eyed waiting their turn. In third position was what every girl dreams of a salon and spa place for their Bratz dolls.

Clare Mullen, 12, and Leanne Guerin, nine, both from Dublin, had hours of enjoyment with the mini-pampering toy.

Mark Ryan, 10, from Dublin, spent ages on the Vtech Computer, placed ninth on the wish list, while Tyler Sutton, four, also from Dublin, enjoyed imaginary bouts with the World Wrestling Entertainment action figures, in seventh position.

By far the most exciting game, Badge it, was placed 10th. Ciara Mahon, 11, from Co Offaly got busy turning out stickers of all sorts.

Two Lego games NBA Challenge/Basketball Stadium in fifth place and Orient Expedition/Mount Everest Temple, in eighth, were also left for the children to play with.

The hospital's play specialist, Caroline Flynn, said they always welcomed donations of toys of any kind as there was such a high turnover of them.

"We never refuse any toys at all," she said.

Ms Flynn said the hospital always tried to create an environment for all the children where play could occur naturally. More than 900 children across Europe picked the top toys just launched for Christmas and the Top 10 have been donated by the Duracell Bunny to hospitals in Britain and Dublin.

Both battery and non-battery toys were included in the survey.