Smyth's Toys are making Christmas for sick children as they partner with Children's Health Foundation
Driven by their dedication to ensure that every sick child gets the very best chance, Smyths Toys Superstores will generously donate €60,000 to Children’s Health Foundation again this year.
Every time a sick child comes through the door of Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin, Temple Street, Tallaght or Connolly, a new story begins. The support of Smyths Toys Superstores allows Children’s Health Foundation to invest their generous donation where it is needed most to support children every single day on their patient journey.
One of those areas is play therapy. The play therapy departments across Children’s Health Ireland’s hospitals and urgent care centres help bring happiness and joy to the sick children that are in their care. They provide inpatients, day-cases and emergency department patients with a much-needed fun break during their visit. The team at Smyths Toys know all about the importance of play in children’s lives.
In addition to the very generous donation of €60,000, they will also donate vouchers to support the work of play therapy departments across Children’s Health Ireland’s hospitals and urgent care centres. Each year, toys, seasonal materials, gaming accessories and consoles are an integral part of the loving compassionate care each child receives. These materials allow for the creation of a child friendly atmosphere, which lowers the high levels of stress, anxiety and worry experienced by both patients and parents during their visit to hospital.
Sinead Byrne, European Marketing Director, added: “Smyths Toys are proud to partner again with Children’s Health Foundation to support seriously ill children from across Ireland, and we continue to be amazed at the work the charity carries out on a daily basis.”
Caroline Flynn, Senior Play Specialist in Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street said: “Play makes a huge difference to a child’s stay in hospital, particularly around Christmas. Through the kindness of supporters like Smyths, our team of Play Specialists can make play extra special at Christmas by decorating wards, having Christmas activities and treats, and making sure every child who is in hospital at Christmas has a present to open.”
Denise Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of Children’s Health Foundation said:
“We are delighted to once again partner with Smyths Toys Superstores this Christmas. Smyths have always been incredible supporters of Children’s Health Foundation, raising over €443,000 since 2016 in support of Children’s Health Ireland hospitals and urgent care centres and helping spread magic to patients and families alike. This amazing support will enable us to continue to pursue our vision to give every sick child the very best chance. Thank you so much to all our friends in Smyths Toys Superstores for helping to bring the sparkle and magic of Christmas to sick children this festive season.”