Toy Drive gives Children's Ward a boost

A TOY AMNESTY launched by a local building society had resulted in more than 50 toys being donated to Darlington Memorial Hospital's Children's Ward.

 Newcastle Building Society's (NBS) Darlington branch launched an appeal to collect donations of children's toys and teddy bears in a bid to help local children receiving treatment.

 Clare Smith, customer adviser, decided to try it help the hospital after she heard that it was in need of children's toys for the children's ward.

The new toys collected through the branch's campaign will restock the Children's Ward playroom.

Clare said: "Darlington Memorial Hospital is crucial to our community so when I heard the Children's Ward would appreciate some toys I knew we had to help.

"The toys and cuddly toys are so important to the children as they help make their stay on hospital more comfortable, normal even. When we visited the hospital to donate the toys we realised very quickly the positive impact this has made to them.

"Thanks to our generous staff and members we have been able to, in a small way, make a big difference to those children."

 Janet Hughes, Deputy Head of Service for Child Health at the Hospital, said:" It is great to be part of a community that cares as much as it does to run campaigns such as this toy drive with Newcastle Building Society. Due to people's generosity we were able to make a big impact immediately sharing the toys amongst all the children."

Photographed: Lee Metters, Branch Manager, Clare Smith, Customer Advisor, Sarah Morley, Play Specialist and Jane Auld, Ward Manager.