Young patients at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) got an egg-citing Easter surprise today (5 April) when local train operator, Greater Anglia, delivered more than 380 Easter eggs and activity kits to the children’s ward and paediatric emergency department (ED).
The annual initiative, now in its fourth year, is organised by Greater Anglia’s relief ticket office clerk at Sawbridgeworth and Stansted Mountfitchet, Michael King.
Posters were displayed in February at Bishop’s Stortford, Harlow Mill, Harlow Town, Stansted Mountfitchet and Sawbridgeworth train stations asking for train users to donate Easter eggs or other treats for the children’s ward at PAHT.
Making the special delivery today, Michael said: “Our customers and staff at Greater Anglia are always very eager to help wherever they can for such a good cause – the past few weeks have been absolutely amazing, seeing the eggs piling up at our ticket offices ready for delivery.
“I’m so glad the eggs and other treats should hopefully put a smile on unwell children’s faces to make their Easter and weeks beyond a little happier.”
Helen Weaving, children’s ward (Dolphin Ward) manager, said: “There is a lot of time and effort that goes into organising this collection – a very big thank you to Michael and the rest of the Greater Anglia team.
“The delivery certainly brightened the day for young people in our care on Dolphin Ward and at our children’s emergency department.
“There are too many to eat in one day, so we will be keeping them safe and handing them out to young people in our care over the coming weeks to give them an extra Easter treat.”
Ogechi Emeadi, director of people, organisational development and communications at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, said: “On behalf of The Princess Alexandra Hospital’s Charity, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to Michael and the Greater Anglia team for all their efforts to yet again run this this thoughtful initiative.
“I know the young people in our care, and our people working on the wards, are extremely grateful for the donations, which have been very well received.”