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Plea for kids hospital 'den'
A charity appeal has been launched in a bid to create a "den" for young hospital patients.
Hope 4 Kidz aims to raise 10,000 to open a new activity room at Sunderland Royal Hospital.
As well as creating the den, it plans to kit it out with a jukebox, DVD player, Xbox, Wii Fit and other games.
Matron Pauline Palmer said: "It's going to make a huge difference to the teenagers.
"At the minute, we have a room which we don't really make use of and is a wasted resource.
"Hopefully, we can decorate it and make it a place for them to chat and
play games."
Viv Watts, chief executive at Hope 4 Kidz, said the facilities would make a huge difference to patients aged 11 to 16 who are staying in the three children's wards.
"Having somewhere like this can improve their health and happiness," she said.
"If they are feeling depressed and miserable, it takes longer for them to recover.
"Also, it helps them to mix and make friends.
"If children are sat on a ward, in beds on opposite sides of the room, then it is difficult to chat and play together.
"The Den will help improve their stay and keep them entertained."
A host of fund-raisers has been planned for the coming months to boost the appeal.
"At the minute, the babies and nursery children up to the age of 10 are well catered for, but there could be more for the 11 to 16-year-olds to do," Viv said.
"What we're aiming to do is create someplace where they can go, where they're are not going to be disturbed and where they're not going to disturb others on the ward.
"We are now looking for people to come on board and help raise money and organise events."
One of the first major fund-raisers, a Mardi Gras ball, will take place at the Roker Hotel on October 2.
Tickets for the event, which includes dinner, a steel band, salsa dancing and disco, are 35 and available on 534 7788 or by emailing aimee.burns@hope4kidz.org.uk
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Weather for Sunderland
Tuesday 07 February 2012
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