Helen Jelley from Playtime Toys, Ben Hare, Gaye McDonald and Kerry Hare from Blackpool with the new toys on the Children’s Ward at Blackpool Victoria Hospital
A toys company has made a special donation to help children at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
Staff from Playtime Toys, based on Amy Johnson Way off Squires Gate Lane in Blackpool, said the company wanted to give toys to the Children’s Ward as a ‘thank you’ for the care provided by the hospital and its staff.
The family firm, which recently opened a shop and has been in existence for more than 40 years, stuffs and sells many of the toys sold along the promenade in Blackpool and across the world.
Campbell McKean, Playtime Toys’ wholesale manager, said the hospital had helped him and his family over the years.
Helen Jelley, the company’s retail manager, said: “We all have children in our company and we know how important it is for children to be able to play.
“We are very community-orientated. We put on free activities, including crafts, for children.
“Before Christmas we gave £6,000 to the Cash for Kids appeal on rock FM.”
Kerry Hare from Blackpool, whose son Ben, 5, was receiving treatment on the Children’s Ward when the toys were presented to staff, said: “When children are poorly it’s great to have toys like these.
“The toys help to distract the children. It’s a god-send. What Playtime Toys has done is lovely.”
Gaye McDonald, a Play Leader from the Children’s Ward, said: “It’s lovely that Playtime toys have thought about us.
“We are always very grateful because the toys will get used a lot by the children. They have brought a huge variety and they are all new things that the children love and want to play with. It’s a fantastic selection.
“We use the toys to help distract the children. We have a playroom and we can take the toys to the children’s bedrooms if they can’t get out of bed. When the children know there is this room full of toys it gives them something to get up for.”
Helen added: “Our company was started by my mum and dad 40 years ago.
“We fill and finish all the toys you see along the prom in Blackpool. The toys even go to places like Dubai.
“Two years ago we decided to go into wholesale and then we decided to open a shop.”
The independent company’s shop has free events and activities for children to attend.
The next event is in conjunction with World Book Day on Saturday, February 27, from noon to 5pm. There will be games, a bouncy castle, well-known ‘characters’ for the children to meet, story time, refreshments, competitions, giveaways and 10 per cent off in the store on the day.
For more information call: 01253 343 066 or email playtimeukltd@aol.com