Rustington Girlguides raise funds for children in hospital at xmas

A group from 2nd Rustington Guides held a fund-raising event in order to buy craft materials, games and DVDs for the children and teenagers staying at the Bluefin Ward at the hospital over Christmas and beyond.

Having set themselves a target of £50, the girls, aged between 10 and 14, organised themselves into small groups and planned ways in which they could raise the money.

Following discussions and preparations at their unit meetings, plus various baking sessions at home, the Guides held a fund-raising evening with support from friends, family and adult volunteers.

As well as providing entertainment from a group of four Guides who sang and played guitar, they also ran a range of stalls.

These included welly-throwing, guess the sweets in the jar, guess the celebrity, lucky dip, a raffle, balance a 20p on a lemon and many more, including food and refreshments.

In the end, the evening smashed the figure the Guides set of £50 and raised £398.97.

Two tressle tables laden with DVDs, portable DVD players, magazines, books, paints, canvasses and various craft materials greeted Hayley Edwards and Christie De Niese from Bluefin Ward when they came to meet the Guides last Tuesday.

Christie De Niese, play specialist at the hospital, said: “These toys and games will make our patients’ time in hospital far more bearable, bringing a lot of joy which will help ease their pain and discomfort.”

Hayley Edwards, paediatric play assistant in Bluefin Ward, said: “This is amazing. I am in shock, as we did not expect so much stuff.

“These materials are going to make a massive difference to the ward and the enjoyment of our long-term patients in particular. “We rely on donations such as this, so we cannot thank the Guides enough.”

Bluefin Ward in Worthing Hospital has two rooms, caring for children aged from zero to 12 and 12 to 18 respectively.

Helen Standing, Unit Leader of 2nd Rustington Guides, said: “Not only did they choose to help Bluefin Ward, but they also planned and organised the entire fund-raiser themselves. They had a lot of fun, but did something wonderful for other children at the same time. I am so proud of the Guides.”

For further information about Girlguiding, call 0800 1 69 59 01 or visit www.girlguiding.org.uk/interested