Christmas cheer at children’s hospital
Superheroes, fire trucks, clowns ... festive fun for young patients
CHRISTMAS came early for children at Red Cross War Memorial Hospital. The young patients were showered with toys and treated to a surprise cavalcade of traffic officers, ambulances, fire trucks, bikers and clowns.
The annual Christmas party included guests from the Heart 104.9FM team, magicians from New Kidz on the Block and cartoon superheroes from No Danger Diaries.
Over the last month and a half, Heart 104.9FM, Game and New Kidz on the Block, an NGO working with orphans and vulnerable children, have collected toys as part of the Toy Story 2014 campaign for children in need. Every Friday, the toys were dropped at various safe houses, shelters and children’s homes.
The Toy Story chapter came to a close yesterday with the Cavalcade from Cape Town Stadium to the hospital, and then a party for the children.
They were also entertained with a petting zoo, firefighting demonstrations and traditional dance performances.
Father Christmas, with the help of nurses on duty, made special deliveries to children with renal failure and those returning from surgery.
Moegamat Ryneveld, 18, said he was going to enjoy Christmas after yesterday’s event. “I feel very good now and I am looking forward to Christmas.”
Friends Siphelele Ngxumalo, 5, and Siyabonga Ngwenya, 3, were recovering from liver transplants.
They had spent the past two months away from their homes in Durban and Joburg respectively.
Father Christmas presented both boys with racing cars.
Siphelele’s mother, Fikile Ngxumalo, said the Christmas drive had lifted their spirits.
Siyabonga’s mother, Portia Ngwenya, said the drive was a way of bringing life to the hospital.
“It feels good. Sometimes being in hospital all day can be discouraging, but today we are rejoicing.”
Hospital spokeswoman Angelique Jordaan said the annual party brought cheer to the hospital.
“Some of these children will spend time at the hospital over the festive season, so this was a way of making their stay better.”
The hospital collected 300 toys, and the Toys Story Campaign, run by Heart 104.9FM, collected 4 500.