Croydon is home to more young people than any other area in London. Its vital that some of our most vulnerable patients have the best possible environment to help support their recovery, Dr Edward Holloway, Consultant Paediatrician.

With 52,000 young people living in Croydon who require NHS care each year, for conditions ranging from diabetes to cancer the team know that play is a vital part of development for children and brings joy to little ones on a daily basis. 

Two-year-old Freddy is no different. However, like 1 in 10 young people in Croydon, he suffers with a respiratory condition that makes his breathing more difficult and has resulted in three hospital admissions.

Being in hospital with a two-year-old is never easy and he has to spend a lot of time in a bed, which is frustrating for an energetic toddler. We're keen to keep him distracted, but without any play equipment or somewhere for him to enjoy himself for a moment, its even more of a challenge. Having access to playgrounds and somewhere he can interact with other children would make a real difference and make the time pass so much more quickly for us, Amy (mum to Freddy, aged 2)

The construction of the brand new children's care unit is underway at Croydon University Hospital and opening in 2022. As part of the development , we are aiming to create fun, therapeutic play spaces for young people to alleviate the fear that many children experience as a result of coming in to hospital. 

The ages of the children we treat vary between 0-18 years, which is why we have committed to deliver age appropriate play spaces. From interactive sensory play, to outdoor climbing walls and basketball hoops all designed with local children and their families. A "chill out" area for teenagers is also included and all of which needs to be funded through the charity appeal. 

Your contribution could help us to provide two unique outdoor play areas, complete with climbing frames and other equipment, recreation facilities for adolescents who need a space to relax, mobility aids for children who cannot walk unaided, books for storytelling and games for distraction. 

The programme is clinically led by Dr. Edward Holloway and Sarah Mclaggan, Head of Nursing for children's services. The Chief Nurse is our executive sponsor and the programme is supported by a large  team which includes Andrea Cuff, Associate Director of Operations for Integrated Womens and Children's Services and Vicki Cunningham, Programme Manager. 

We have come together to show our support and dedication to the children of Croydon and the Power of Play appeal by committing to a Sky Dive in support of the overall fundraising target of £150,000. 

We have also been fortunate enough to recruit Paediatric Emergency Department Sister, Hannah Carter and Paediatric Consultant Dr. John Fallaha to our skydiving team to enable us to reach as many donors as possible to support this very worthy cause. 

We are very grateful for any support you can offer us.