Wednesday 27 July saw ‘dreamdrops’, the Huntingdonshire Children’s Charity, re-launch the Outdoor Activity Play area at the Children’s Unit Outpatients Department at Hinchingbrooke Hospital. 

The play area was originally financed by the Evelyn Trust when the newly built Children’s Unit was opened in 2005 and, during the intervening years, it has provided hours of fun for young patients whilst they are waiting for their appointments. 

Anne-Marie Hamilton, ‘dreamdrops’ Chairman said: “About 18 months ago, we realised that the outdoor play area was beginning to look a bit ‘tired’ and so decided to launch an appeal so that the Children’s Unit could invest in new toys and facilities.”

Some of the guests at the relaunch included representatives from local businesses who had made significant contributions towards the refurbishment. These included Leanne Morgan from the St Neots branch of the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society who raised £400 to purchase new toys for the area, Mr and Mrs Cracknell who had supplied seaside- themed panels for the walls and a crocodile ‘seat’, and local builder, Mr Phil Lewis who had carried out the refurbishment work. 

A lovely new chalet, which can double up as a Wendy House for the children to play in during the day, and in which toys can be stored overnight, has been erected by Beaver Sheds Ltd.

The play area was formally re-opened by the Guest of Honour, Vivien Golding, ‘dreamdrops’ charity administrator, who is retiring after almost 12 years in the post. Over that time, thanks to her hard work and excellent organising ability, she has seen the charity develop and grow.  Whilst looking after the day to day running of the charity on behalf of the fund-raising committee.  Viv has made many new friends along the way, including donors, members of the nursing staff and also the young patients and their families who have benefited from the fund-raising activities of the charity.

Anne-Marie Hamilton, Chairman said: “Viv has worked tirelessly for the charity, not only supporting the Committee, but giving many hours of her own time as a volunteer, as well as taking care of all the administration tasks that have come her way.

“For supporters and medical staff alike, she has been the first point of contact with the charity, and it is thanks to her and the way she handles the enquiries, that ‘dreamdrops’ has matured and become well respected in Huntingdonshire.

“Viv is retiring this week and to most of us, she is ‘dreamdrops’ and we didn’t want to see Viv leave without the many friends she had made over the years having the opportunity to say ‘thank you’ and to wish her a well-earned, long and happy retirement.”

Services at the Children’s Unit are run by Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust and money raised through ‘dreamdrops’ is also used to provide additional items for the Special Care Baby Unit and Children’s Ward, as well as children who are cared for at home.

For further information on how you can help raise funds for the charity please visit www.dreamdropschildrenscharity.org or email dreamdrops@ccs.nhs.uk.