Skip to main content

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity is calling the local community to swap chocolate for charity support this Easter

March 6, 2023

Easter is a time for celebration and reflection and often a time for giving. People across Dorset can give the gift of play this Easter by helping to raise vital funds towards transforming the existing playground area at the Poole Hospital Child Development Centre.

Simply swap the purchase of a chocolate Easter egg and donate to the Children’s Playground Project. The renovations of this space will cost just over £75,000 but every pound will go a long way for children across Dorset.

Based at Poole Hospital, the child development centre offers a multi professional approach to the assessment and treatment of pre-school children with a variety of developmental needs within Poole, Bournemouth and parts of Dorset.

The new playground will provide a more suitable space for children to have additional therapy and be able to explore their sensory environment.

Over 2,000 children in the local area attend the centre each year and the new playground will provide an improved space to get away from the clinical setting where children get a diagnostic assessment.

Matron for the Paediatrics department, Karen Fernley said: “While Easter eggs have been much appreciated in the past for children on our wards or as a thank you to our staff, it’s great that there’s something people can donate kindness to instead this Easter. Thank you to anybody who is willing to trade their sugar for kindness this year!”

Fundraising Manager, Karen Smith said; “This refurbishment is much needed. The new equipment replaces equipment that was installed over 15 years ago and the reason the charity is funding this project is because we need to ensure the Children’s Development Centre continues to be fit for purpose and provide appropriate space for the children to utilise and benefit from.”

“The longer-term plan is to eventually move the Children’s Development Centre to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital site, as part of the wider reconfiguration of services plan for University Hospitals Dorset and currently estimated for 2025.

We have worked with the proposed supplier/installer to ensure the equipment can be moved when required.”

Donate now to make a difference to children in Dorset that use this facility.