Charity is child’s play for Sainsbury’s staff
Children at both Sandwell and City hospitals were smiling after charitable Sainsbury’s staff donated tons of toys.
Child play specialist Wendy Moore, whose time is spent helping local children recover from illness, was contacted by Leuan Roberts and asked if the Trust would like some toys. Following the success of a similar scheme the same time last year she gratefully said “Yes please!”
The toys were collected at the retailer’s Hams Hall distribution centre after posters were put up around the site to promote what is called the Sainsbury’s Toy Drive. Wheeled cages that are normally used to transport stock were generously filled with items like watches, jigsaw puzzles and other games before being delivered to Sandwell and City hospitals.
With such a variety of items donated children across a wide age range were catered for. Some toys will be kept on the paediatric wards while others will be given to the Trusts’ younger patients as awards for their bravery. On top of this, some of the brand new toys will be given as gifts to help cheer up children that celebrate a birthday while in hospital.
Wendy went on to praise Sainsbury’s staff saying they were ”all really nice people and very passionate when it came helping the children”
Head of Fundraising Carly Jones added “We appreciate the thoughtfulness and generosity shown by Sainsbury’s staff. These gifts are a welcomed distraction for the children and really help them to relax during their stay in hospital.
