Free Spirits Nursery Raise £1080 for Families with Sick Children

Children at a local nursery put on their favourite pyjamas to raise over £1,000 for families with seriously ill children staying at The Sick Children’s Trust’s Scott House.

Free Spirits Nursery, located at Newcastle upon Tyne’s Freeman Hospital, took part in The Sick Children’s Trust Pyjama Party where over 20 children were sponsored to go into nursery dressed in their favourite pyjamas to help the charity support families with seriously ill children being treated at the hospital.

Scott House at Freeman Hospital - along with nine other ‘Homes from Home’ run by the charity across the country – helps families stay close to their seriously ill child by supporting them with free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation, minutes from their child’s hospital bedside.

Children from Free Spirits Nursery recently called into Scott House to handover the cheque for £1080. Manager Marika Knotts says: “Both the children and the staff at Free Spirits had a lovely day wearing their pyjamas and raising money for such a worthwhile cause.

“As our close neighbour, we have seen first-hand the fantastic work carried out by The Sick Children’s Trust and all the staff at Scott House. We have also been privileged to work with many of the families there.”

The Sick Children’s Trust’s ten ‘Homes from Home’ give families a private bedroom with a direct phone line to the ward, access to kitchens and living areas along with laundry facilities. Although the accommodation is free to families, it costs £30 to support a family for one night and the charity relies solely on voluntary donations.

Scott House Manager Andrew Leadbitter says: “We’re very impressed with all the children at Free Spirits Nursery – they’ve done a brilliant job getting sponsored to wear their pyjamas to nursery. This money will help so many families with sick children at Freeman Hospital who stay just minutes from their hospital bedside.

“It costs us £30 to support a family for one night, and Pyjama Party is a great way for local nurseries, playgroups and schools to help us to support families practically and emotionally. We believe that if a child has their family close by it can make a significant difference to their recovery. We’d like to ask everyone to spread the word and help us – like the wonderful children at Free Spirits Nursery – to help more families stay close to their loved ones.”

The Sick Children’s Trust’s Pyjama Party week runs from Monday October 17 – Friday October 21, if you would like to get involved during that week, or later in the year, please http://www.sickchildrenstrust.org/Get_involved/Pyjama_Party/index.html