Making their stay easier

AYOUNG East London mother is on a twofold mission: to put smiles on the faces of children who are admitted to Frere Hospital’s paediatric ward and to make their parents more comfortable.

Angelique Clarke from West Bank said when spending time at the children’s ward with her sick child in April this year, she noticed there were no toys or activities to cheer up the patients.

Mothers who stay with their children often have to sleep on the floor or on benches due to a shortage of mattresses.

This motivated 20-year-old Clarke to raise funds to buy mattresses, blankets and collect used toys for the children’s ward.

Clarke, who has already collected several boxes of toys, said she was shocked when she saw a mother who had hitchhiked from the Transkei to Frere to have her child treated, sleeping with no blankets on a bench.

“I couldn’t sleep that night and wondered how I could help this woman and the other parents who find themselves in this situation,” said Clarke.

After her child was discharged, Clarke, an unemployed single mother, and her friend Zabaida Parry, started going to schools, churches handing out pamphlets, asking people to donate toys.

“At first people doubted my intentions but word soon got out on social networks and I had people coming to my house to drop off toys,” said Clarke.

With help from the Cambridge Sports Club, which donated the venue, a fundraising event will be held on June 28 to raise money for mattresses.

The event, which promises entertainment for the whole family, will feature a ballet infused with hip-hop and singing by the Memories.

There will also be a mini flea-market. Children will be able to meet their favourite cartoon characters and play on a jumping castle. “There is no entrance fee. All we ask is that those who attend donate a toy.”

Anyone who would like to assist can contact Clarke on 084-946-0494. — arethal@dispatch.