Appeal to help transform children's emergency department at Derriford

The "SplashED" appeal needs your help this Christmas

Jess MorcomEngagement Producer

21:25, 18 NOV 2018

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Plymouth Hospitals Charity and the Children's Happy Hospital fund have come together to run Splash'ED' - the Christmas appeal aiming to raise money to create a beautiful underwater-themed extension to the children's Emergency Department.

The department is expanding and the two charities are hoping to raise enough money to put a 'Splash of Colour' on all the walls to make the area look and feel much more child friendly. The aim is for families, children and people in the community to get behind the appeal and help raise £10,000.

The money raised will go towards creating a beautiful design of a coral reef in the waiting area and bring images of friendly sea creatures to the walls and doors of the area. The idea is that the calm aquatic space will distract children from their fears, aches and pains, and the plan is to introduce characters such as Conrad the Clownfish and Poppy the Pufferfish to guide the children in their under-the-sea adventure to ease the worry of what might happen next.

Plymouth Hospitals Charity runs with the aim to create more patient friendly places amd better equipment for better diagnostics and treatment. They also use donations to to fund small scale research to advance understanding and to support enhanced staff development and education and provide better care. The charity also has sites outside of Plymouth including outreach centres in Tavistock, Liskeard and Kingsbridge.

The Children's Happy Hospital fund works alongside, and aims to make a difference for all young patients, for their families and carers both in hospital and at home. This includes improving the facilities available for parents and carers, purchasing new toys, books and quality play equipment, and providing and maintaining high-tech medical equipment. Over the past 18 months, the fund has raised enough to refurbish 18 cubicles on children's wards, creating a more relaxed and comfortable space for patients.

Currently over 53,000 children live in Plymouth and more live within the Trust's surrounding catchment areas. Over 16,000 of these young people were treated in the Emergency Department last year so the extension will be of benefit to the lives of thousands.

Corinne Bailey, Charity Development Manager at Derriford said: "I was surprised by the number of children we see in the Emergency Department over the course of a year. That's definitely a lot of anxious Mums and Dads, families and of course, young people themselves.

“By creating a beautiful, yet calm and colourful environment, we will go some way to alleviating this anxiety and I really hope families and businesses will get behind this joint fundraising project.

“We are always extremely grateful to people who want to give presents and gifts to the children who are in hospital but hope this year that people will be kind enough to donate to our Splash ‘ED’ Appeal so that Conrad and Poppy are there to greet the children and help alleviate their fears."

Donations are currently open until January and you can make a donation to the appeal by visting the justgiving page here.

Alternatively, you can send a cheque made payable to Children's Happy Hospitals Fund, Level 12, Derriford Hospital Plymouth PL6 8DH. You can also make a debit or credit card donation by calling the Cashiers Office on 01752 439805

If you would prefer to get involved there are a number of organised events in aid of the appeal, including "Plymouth Santa Ride" taking place on Saturday December 15. It is a 5.6 mile ride from the Barbican to Derriford hospital, dressed up as Santa, an Elf or similar. You can sign up to take part in the ride here