From Christmas kindness to lasting impact: magical sensory unit transforms Children's Hospital visits

Last Christmas, our community of supporters came together to help transform the experience of children attending outpatient appointments at the Children's Hospital in Derby.

Our appeal to fund a magical sensory unit for the Children's Outpatient Department received incredible support from local people, businesses, schools and community groups. Together, they helped us reach our £10,000 target, creating a portable sensory space designed to reduce anxiety, provide distraction and make hospital visits a little easier for young patients.

Rather than giving toys or gifts, many supporters chose to provide a donation to the appeal, helping to create a lasting resource that will make a difference to hundreds of children and families every day of the year.

The sensory unit arrived in July and has already had a remarkable impact. Designed to support children with sensory needs and provide a welcome distraction during hospital appointments, the unit features soothing lights and an interactive projector with games, images and immersive environments. Its portable design means it can be moved throughout the department or taken directly into clinics and consultation rooms, helping children feel calmer during appointments, treatments and procedures such as blood tests.

To mark the arrival of the sensory unit, we invited some of the appeal's supporters to visit the Children's Outpatient Department and see the difference their donations are making.

Among the visitors were regular supporters Lee Poulter and Sally Simmonds, who have organised an annual gift and fundraising drive for Derby Children's Hospital since 2011 in memory of Sally's son, Bradley. The initiative was originally started by Lee's late wife, Marie, and has grown year after year thanks to the generosity of their local community. Talking about why he continues the fundraising effort, Lee said:

"Marie started the annual donations and after she passed away, we wanted to keep it going in hers and Bradley's memory. Every year it gets bigger and bigger. If it makes one child smile, or a hundred children smile, then it's worth it."

Lee visited the department alongside Sally, whose son, Bradley, spent much of his childhood receiving care for cystic fibrosis.

People of all ages got behind the appeal, including pupils from The Education Centre Derby CIC, who rallied support from their local community by sharing the story behind the appeal and encouraging family and friends to donate. They also visited the department to see the sensory unit in action and learn more about the difference it will make for patients.

The appeal also received support from local businesses. Among those was Ashley Kincade of A.Kincade Electrical, who was pleased to support the project and the difference it will make for young patients.

Staff in the Children's Outpatient Department saw the benefits almost immediately.

Thank you to everyone who supported the magical sensory unit appeal. Together, you have funded a local resource that will continue helping children feel calmer, safer and more comfortable during hospital visits for years to come.