Mini-makeover of Stoke Mandeville's paediatric ward supported by housebuilder

Aylesbury’s Stoke Mandeville Hospital’s Paediatric Ward has welcomed a £1,500 funding boost this month from local housebuilder, Barratt David Wilson Homes, who is behind the Kingsbrook development in the market town. The donation will be distributed across Ward 3 to help fund large equipment currently required as well as a selection of items from their Wishlist for the children.

Stoke Mandeville Hospital’s Paediatric Ward comprises of 26 beds and allows patients to be near other children in their age range. The ward includes a lounge for the older children and a safe outdoor play area as well as quiet space for parents and family members. The ward does not receive any budget for supplementary equipment or toys, so Barratt David Wilson North Thames’ donation has enabled the team to update their collection of items for the children to use when in treatment. The donation was made possible thanks to the housebuilder’s Community Fund, which is supported by the Barratt Foundation.

Marc Woolfe, Head of Sales at Barratt David Wilson North Thames, comments: “We are really pleased to hear this donation will help provide new play equipment for children which will hopefully reduce their anxiety and stress whilst in Ward 3, both for young patients and their families. The work Stoke Mandeville Hospital carries out is vital to the local community so any help we can give to help aid their services is very important to us and we look forward to seeing the equipment in action soon.”

Hayley Robins, Play Leader at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, adds: “We do not get a Budget and rely solely on donations and our Amazon Wish List to provide distraction materials and resources to keep our patients occupied during their stay. It is so important to us that our patients have a positive experience of being in hospital. If they have to come multiple times; as many do; then they almost look forward to coming to see me as they know they will get lots of fun things to make and do during their stay, so we are immensely grateful for this donation.”