Could you help a Disney wish become a reality?

A new appeal aims to improve the experience of parents who have a poorly child at Scunthorpe General Hospital.

The Disney ward is appealing to the public to help raise thousands of pounds to provide parents staying overnight with their little ones with a comfortable place to sleep.

Being admitted to hospital, away from their loved ones, can be a frightening experience for children and naturally there are occasions where parents will want to stay with them. Currently the ward only has access to a camp bed or standard chair for overnight stays.

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust’s official charity, The Health Tree Foundation are appealing to the community to help raise  £18,000 to help fund suitable overnight chairs for parents staying over with their children. 

A total of 18 of the new multi-functional chairs will be needed to help create a pleasant as possible sleeping environment for parents. By day, the chairs are a comfortable seat which can easily be transformed into a bed for the night.

Will Gill and his partner, Emma Kerridge know all too well the importance of a comfortable sleeping environment. Will said: “As regular visitors to the Disney ward, we have come to think of it as our secondary home.

“It’s certainly more than comfortable for our little boy, however the one thing we always dread about a hospital stay is the parent sleeping arrangements. 

“Having somewhere comfier to sleep on a night would be amazing - it would certainly help us get rested up during a stressful time and ready to start another day."

The Scunthorpe Lions Club have already pledged a donation to help fund two of the beds required upon hearing about the appeal.

Deputy ward manager Vikki Mcalpine said: “Providing somewhere comfortable for parents to sleep when their child comes into the hospital is so important.

“One of the main worries when a child comes into the hospital is will somebody be able to stay with me. Providing a comfortable bed for parents to stay with their child helps them both parents and the child relax and feel more at home”.

If you would like to hear more about the appeal or would like to help, please contact HTF community champion Hayley Thompson on 03033 305672 or email hayley.thompson3@nhs.net