Flashing lights, luminous bubbles and vibrant music will all help to make a stay for children in a hospital a little bit more comfortable.

Dolphin Ward at the Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, has been kitted out with a host of new sensory equipment, thanks to the generosity of the Medway League of Friends.

The charity, which runs a shop in the foyer, raises thousands of pounds to pay for lifesaving and enriching items every year.

And this year the Friends, mostly volunteers, have decided that children from new-born babes to teenagers should benefit from their tireless and heartfelt efforts.

Members visited the ward on Tuesday, October 15, to see for themselves what the £5,000 donated had bought for the children’s ward.

Their generosity has been welcomed by Ann McKinnon, ward playgroup leader and specialist.

Mrs McKinnon, who herself raises money for Dolphin at an annual family fun day, said: “The children really do benefit from the sensory toys and, for those who are too ill to get out of bed, we can bring the toys to them.

“It can be particularly useful for little ones who may become anxious before going to theatre. It helps to calm them and takes their minds off things.

“Also parents can get a little stressed before their child goes in for an operation which sometimes a child can sense. It can help to put everyone at ease.”

Mrs McKinnon added that the items were much needed as older equipment had become worn and torn over about 20 years.

Among the new toys are a vibrating ball park and a sensory bubble tube.

Scott Belcher, operations manager for The Friends, said: “Some of the bits for the children’s ward are historic.We obviously realised this was a good thing to do.”

The Friends were formed more than 50 years ago and have just branched out into the community, opening a shop in Wainscott.

In the past they have raised, on average, about £500,000 a year from the proceeds of the hospital shop. Volunteers also run a trolley service on the wards.

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