CHILDREN with complex and life threatening conditions were treated to a festive evening at Santa’s grotto in Droitwich on Monday (December 18), thanks to donations from local organisations.
The youngsters, who are supported by Worcestershire’s Orchard Service, visited the main man and his helpers at Salwarpe Village Hall, Droitwich.
The Orchard Service are the county’s children community nursing and palliative care team and were able to deliver the festive evening through donations from BBC Inflatables Entertainment Worcestershire, Morrisons Droitwich and Menzies Distribution.
During the event, children and their families met Santa in his inflatable grotto – provided by BBC Inflatables Entertainment – to receive an especially thought-out gift.
The children who are dealing with complex, life threatening and limiting conditions were also able to spend time in a sensory corner filled with musical instruments, lights, mirrors, textured balls and wooden toys supplied by Morrisons.
Families were also able to share festive glitter tattoos, make Christmas cards and decorations, and enjoy festive filled snacks supplied by Morrisons and Menzies Distribution.
The Orchard Service work closely with GPs, children’s hospital wards, paediatricians, health visitors and school health nurses to prevent unnecessary admission to hospital and promote early discharge.
Laura Phillimore, community health play specialist for Orchard Service said, “We know that having a child with a long term, complex or life limiting/threatening condition can sometimes make spending time as a family difficult.
“We hope that events such as this give families an opportunity to come together and enjoy activities, in a relaxed environment, adapted to support the needs of the children in attendance.”
Through charitable donations, Orchard Service is able to host regular events such as this for children and their families.
They also provide families with memory boxes for special mementos, following the death of a child.
