A transformed outdoor play and sensory garden is set to open at the Child Development Centre (CDC) at Grimsby hospital, thanks to a remarkable community fundraising effort that raised more than £25,000.
NLaG’s charity – The Health Tree Foundation – has successfully secured the funding to create the new play area garden, turning a previously unused space into a welcoming outdoor environment where children and families can relax and play while attending outpatient appointments.
The project has been supported by a wide range of donors and fundraisers, including staff-led events, community activities, local businesses and grant funding. The largest contribution came from local company Winner Winner Chicken Dinner, which donated £15,000 towards the development. Other fundraising efforts included skydives, raffles, cake sales, charity events and grant funding.
The garden has been designed with children’s needs in mind, featuring sensory elements and outdoor play opportunities that can be enjoyed while waiting for appointments. New flooring, seating and wooden play areas have been installed in the garden. Teams from physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, dietetics and other outpatient services will all benefit from the space.
Gemma Fleet, who runs Winner Winner Chicken Dinner with her husband Sonny, said: “I used to work at Grimsby hospital on the Rainforest Ward, so I know first-hand how important things like this are to the children who have to come into hospital. This will make a real difference to the children, and we’re delighted to be involved.”
Jordana Snowden, a team leader in children’s outpatients, said: “We’ve been fundraising to transform the CDC garden for years. The children can now come outside and play while waiting for appointments. We have focused on sensory features because many of the children who visit us benefit from that type of environment. Everybody has contributed and every penny has counted.”
The project was delivered with the support of Newby Leisure, which carried out the garden works, creating a vibrant new space that will support children and families for years to come.