The ellenor children’s hospice care team have received a donation of more than £10,000 by the Toy Trust to fund sensory equipment which can be taken into children’s homes.
The Toy Trust is the charitable arm of the British Toy and Hobby Association. Neil Marchant of Mattel UK, one of its members, delivered a cheque for £10,862 to the charity’s Friday Fun Club, a respite service in Dartford.
ellenor provides care for families who are facing terminal illness, and offers support for children in their own homes 24 hours a day.
“It’s been amazing to meet the children and so lovely to be part of this and to learn about the great work ellenor does in Kent,” said Mr Marchant.
“Everyone here is so warm, welcoming and friendly and it’s so apparent that they have the children’s welfare at the centre of their hearts.”
Many of the children ellenor cares for have severe physical and mental disabilities, with limitations of movement, hearing, vision, behavioural difficulties and pain.
Specialist sensory play equipment offer the opportunity for them to enjoy play and help them developmentally and socially, but it is expensive and often not portable.
ellenor’s nursery currently has one set to share between them but the donation will help to fund six Sensory in a Suitcase kits and six Pop-up Pods – which can be easily transported.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Toy Trust and its members, including Mattel, for its very generous donation,” says Hazel South, ellenor’s Head of Information and Development.
“The new toys will be such a great asset for the development, stimulation and fun for the children.”
