Theo’s Ryman helps Children’s Charity Starlight During Covid-19 Pandemic
Starlight Children’s Foundation is the national children’s charity that exists to preserve childhood throughout serious illness - through hospital play and distraction services, wish granting and Starlight escapes programme. They help children and their families to escape the routine and reality of treatment, and things are particularly tough during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Starlight partner, Ryman, and its suppliers have stepped in to ensure the charity can reach more children by providing additional items for isolation packs, packs made up of single use items to help stop cross infection. Starlight delivers to nurses and health play specialists caring for children throughout the NHS across the UK. Last year, Ryman also supported Starlight during their annual celebration of ‘Play in Hospital Week’, an awareness week to shine a light on the importance of play for children in hospital.
Theo Paphitis, Ryman Chairman says “As we all face new and different challenges, we look to where we can help, and that is why, Ryman, along with our suppliers, is pleased to be supporting children’s charity, Starlight, helping to fill their isolation packs and bring some relief to isolated children in hospitals. We all now have a small understanding of the positive impact a little distraction and entertainment can have when we are isolated, separated from family and facing a worrying time.”
Starlight’s ‘Boost Box’ Hospital Service provides health professionals working with children across the UK with ‘Boost Boxes’, a treasure trove of toys, puzzles, and art & crafts that aim to help entertain and distract children in hospital having treatment. The Boost Box services that Starlight provides can help reduce anxiety, make treatments more bearable, and take a child’s mind off the loneliness they are feeling.
Ryman was able to support Starlight this year, with the help of its suppliers Vivid (Crayola), Stabilo, Bic, Crafters Companion, Artcoe, Acco, Daler Rowney and Curios Universe.
If you’d like to help, find out more or to make a donation, visit www.starlight.org.uk
