Help raise £130,000 to build play area for children's ward at Northampton General Hospital

A fundraising appeal has been launched to build a £130,000 play area for children staying at Northampton General Hospital.

Northamptonshire Health Charity has set out a mission to create a place of fun for little ones staying on Disney and Paddington wards.

The new improved space would be equipped with xylophones, a percussion music panel, a bridge to play on and benches to sit on away from the ward.

For more information or to donate to the fundraising effort, visit the charity's JustGiving page.Alison McCulloch, Head of Fundraising for the charity said, “Having a colourful, interactive, welcoming area for children to play in which will help them to continue an important aspect of their normal life and so they can make sense of the world around them is so important.

"We know the generous people in the Northamptonshire community will get behind us so we can raise the funds to support this project.”

Children of all ages and ability are treated on Disney and Paddington, with some young patients receiving treatments such as chemotherapy.

The new improved space will be equipped to provide a range of outside play activities as well as new options for physiotherapy.

It also aims to improve accessibility for all children, which will enable parents and carers with physical disabilities to take their children out to play.

Play-service co-ordinator Sue Faulkner said: "“The current outdoor play facilities are out of date and not accessible to all children and their individual needs.

"Having a bright, welcoming new play area will be fantastic. It will be a therapeutic outdoor space where all children and parents can spend time outside, in all weathers. This space will help promote children’s health and well-being during their stay within the hospital environment.”