Goody bags help sick children smile

Sick children were left with a smile thanks to a donation from The Top Model Foundation.

The charity supports East Kent Hospitals Charity’s child health campaign and donated 60 goody bags, full of toys and games to distract youngsters, to the children’s emergency department at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate.

They were handed over to head of nursing Joanna Williams and matron Cat Miller, and immediately put to good use with a young patient in the department.

Geoff Cox, trustee of The Top Model Foundation, said: “Although we are a national charity, I live in Kent so it is always a pleasure to be able to support my local hospitals like this.

“When we were in the department there was a young patient who was quite distressed so straight away the bags proved useful and it was lovely to see the difference they can make.

“We run a lot of large-scale initiatives such as trips to theme parks, but this donation showed that often the small gestures matter just as much.”

The foundation was founded by professionals from the fashion industry and is dedicated to improving and changing the lives of children and young people in the UK. It relies on donations and fundraising, particularly during major fashion events.

Dee Neligan, head of charity for East Kent Hospitals Charity, said: “We were delighted to welcome Geoff back with more goody bags, which always prove really popular with children and families across our hospitals.

“It was fantastic to be able to see first-hand the impact the bags have and I know there will be many more smiles in future thanks to this donation.”

For more information on the foundation visit www.thetopmodelfoundation.org or to support the child health campaign visit https://www.ekhcharity.org.uk/campaigns/child-health/