Staff at the Royal United Hospital in Bath have held a thank you party for Time is Precious, a charity which has funded a brand new sensory room and teenagers chill out room for patients and their families.
Over £60,000 was raised, making this the largest project the charity has funded so far.
Emily Graham, Head of Children’s Therapies, RUH said: “We would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to Time is Precious, especially to its trustees Neil and Nicky Halford.
“We are incredibly grateful for their amazing fundraising which has provided such brilliant resources to enhance children’s visits to our department.
“The sensory room will help children with complex needs, such as physical, communication and visual impairments. The equipment is state-of-the art and we are delighted that we are able to offer this facility to our patients.
“And it’s not just young children who have benefitted, as we now have a newly decorated chill-out room for teenagers who are inpatients at the RUH. Hopefully it will help them feel comfortable during their visit here as it feels more homely and less clinical.”
The Somerset based charity was set up by husband and wife Neil and Nicky Halford in memory of their son Ben Halford, who sadly passed away from cancer in 2010.
The charity’s supporters, volunteers, RUH staff and patients enjoyed the celebrations during the official opening. Patrons, Olympic gold medalist, Jason Gardener MBE, and actor Will Thorp were on hand to formally open the facilities, and a guided tour took place to show everyone the new rooms.
Trustee Nicky Halford, Time is Precious said: “Every penny donated to Time is Precious counts and we couldn’t make a difference to patients and their families without the help from our supporters and volunteers, so I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support.
“We are delighted to have funded such wonderful new facilities for children and their families, as we know it will help immensely. As well as a new sensory room, TIP looked at how we could improve the environment for family and friends when they visit young patients.
“We know that sometimes visits can be cut short because it is difficult keeping brothers and sisters entertained. We want to be able to make visiting time a happy occasion for everyone so they can enjoy playing games, reading, chatting and just being a family.”
Before the ribbon was cut to officially open the sensory room, Emily said: “It’s a pleasure to show some of the equipment that the charity fundraising has provided as it makes such a difference to local children.
“To see some of our staff with tears in their eyes when they see the effect it can have on our young patients – money can’t buy that.
“It’s incredible. Thank you to everyone for helping to provide such amazing facilities.”
