CHILDREN unlucky enough to be spending the festive season in hospital will get a bit of comfort thanks to kind-hearted council staff.
Members of Durham County Council’s DurhamWorks team got behind the charity Children’s Hospital Pyjamas, which collects donations of new items of nightwear for youngsters staying on a ward.
DurhamWorks helps unemployed 16 to 24-year-olds living in County Durham to find work, training or education – but the team chose to help children younger than that through the appeal.
Staff took it upon themselves to collect pyjamas and cash donations to fund the purchase of nightwear.
Between them they collected more than 60 pairs of pyjamas which the charity has since presented to University Hospital North Durham (UHND) and the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, so children at both can benefit this Christmas.
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Team member Hannah Fenwick said: “Helping young people is obviously something that is very close to our hearts in the DurhamWorks team.
“And when I heard about Children’s Hospital Pyjamas and how many so many youngsters find themselves rushed into hospitals without their parents or carers having time to prepare things like nightwear, I wanted to help.
“I was touched that my colleagues in the DurhamWorks team were happy to get involved too and to have collected more than 60 pairs of new pyjamas between us is something of which we are all really proud.
“Pyjamas are a comfort and essential when being admitted to hospital and we in the DurhamWorks team are really pleased to be able to provide these small gifts to help the children and their families during a difficult time. We hope that they bring them some comfort and reassurance.”
Following on from the pyjama appeal the DurhamWorks team will collect new toys, books, more pyjamas, activities, toiletries and selection boxes to pass to UHNDto give to children in hospital over Christmas.
DurhamWorks is a partnership programme between the council and five organisations which work together to support young people and help them create their futures.
Last year Children’s Hospital Pyjamas collected 15,636 pairs of pyjamas and donated them to 90 different establishments up and down the country.
Hannah Fenwick, DurhamWorks employer engagement officer, and Jessica Mason, DurhamWorks employer engagement officer
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