Hospital tour ends after two months of joy and laughter
Yesterday, the Mercy Hospital and the South Infirmary/Victoria Hospital were the focus of events while the roadshow stops at Cork University Hospital today.
“It’s been a great pleasure to witness the joy this initiative has brought to the children,” said Mary O’Connor, head of CHI.
“For children in all the hospitals we’ve visited the Roadshow has meant a day of entertainment and exciting activities.
“Especially when in hospital, play and fun activities offer a distraction and can help children cope with the situation.
“Promoting the benefit of play in hospitals is one of the key aims of CHI,” she said.
The two-month tour has been one of the biggest such events held in Ireland to support sick children and their families, and as such travelled to all 26 hospitals which care for children. In each hospital, all children — patients and siblings — in wards, out patients, A&E, x-ray and other departments have participated in the events.
Approximately 2,500 children, their parents and the staff caring for them, have been involved in this party since the CHI Roadshow took to the highways in early February.
It has featured renowned children’s entertainers such as Silly Billy, along with the Kids Party Club and Helena Hugel’s Helium, bringing fabulous moments of magic and wonder tailored to the needs of each child they meet.
“In addition to highlighting the importance of play in the hospital, the Roadshow has provided an opportunity for parents to access information and support to help them cope with their child’s hospital stay. The CHI Roadshow team and CHI’s PlayWell volunteers have worked together with staff in all hospitals to make a great day for all children,” Ms O’Connor said.
Children in Hospital Ireland is one of the country’s leading children’s charities. It is a voluntary organisation that has worked for nearly 40 years promoting the welfare, emotional and developmental needs of children in hospital, as well as providing play in hospitals through its ‘PlayWell’ service all year round.
Ms O’Connor also paid tribute to the National Children’s Nurseries Association for their support. !
lFor further information about CHI, log onto www.childreninhospital.ie
