Shoppers at Doncaster’s Lakeside Village have donated more than £1,000 to help families who have children in hospital stay with them.
The donations, made over Christmas by visitors to Lakeside Village, have been used to buy two new chair beds for Doncaster Royal Infirmary’s (DRI) Children’s Ward, which means that parents will be more comfortable when they stay with their child in hospital.
John Magee, centre manager for Lakeside Village said: “Our customers raised an amazing £1202.24 this Christmas and we want to say a massive thank you to them as this will make a real difference to families who have children in hospital.
“Bucket collections at our free Christmas activities and donations from visitors to our free grotto, once again raised money for the Thorne Rural Lions group, and they have used this money to buy two of these special chair beds for DRI.
“Helping to support local charities and raise money to make a difference in our local community is very important to us and we are delighted to have been able to work with the Lions to do this.”
The Children’s Ward at Doncaster Royal Infirmary cares for children of all ages. The ward has a play area for younger children, cinema and games room for older children and an American style diner, all of which are designed to give children an overall better hospital experience.
Auriol Henton, from the Thorne Rural Lions said: “We are once again grateful to Lakeside Village and all of their customers who helped to raise this fantastic amount of money. Their generosity will make a huge difference to families from Doncaster who experience a child having to stay in hospital. These chair beds will make it easier for a parent to stay with the child which will mean the world to them.”
Lesley Musk, Children’s Ward Sister, said; “Thank you to the Thorne Rural Lions and Lakeside Village Outlet for this very generous donation. We are gradually replacing our old chairbeds and needed some new ones. Having a sick child in hospital is a worrying time for parents and offering them a comfortable chairbed will be very much appreciated.”
Doncaster Royal Infirmary is part of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
For further information about Lakeside Village visit www.lakeside-village.co.uk