Sent packing by Camp Simcha to sort 10,000 gifts for children in hospital
THE FIRST group from Camp Simcha’s bnei mitzvah programme helped sort and pack the 10,000-plus toys collected by the charity for children in hospital over the festive season.
Twenty bar- and batmitzvah students were joined by their parents and other volunteers to ready the toys for distribution.
They had been donated by individuals, shuls, schools, cheders, other community groups and businesses.
Among the bnei mitzvah helpers was Ariella Keene, 11, who said it was “an honour” to assist. “I feel very sad that there are children who have to stay in hospital over the holidays and it’s so nice that I get to do something to help them.”
The toys have gone to 120 hospital wards and hospices around London, Essex and Hertfordshire, including the Royal Free NHS Trust, Northwick Park, Great Ormond Street, UCLH, St Mary’s, Evelina, Chelsea and Westminster and North Middlesex.
Gail Manning from the play team at Northwick Park’s paediatric ward said the gifts were more important than ever this year.
Because of pandemic safety, “single use toys and activities have become essential. We have required many more resources in order to support our patients and families.
“The donation we received today will enable us to ensure all our patients have a treat over the festive period and I’m sure we’ll receive lots of smiles in return. We can’t thank Camp Simcha and the community enough for your kindness.”
At Great Ormond Street, as well as the toys and staff treats, Camp Simcha also arranged Chanukah activities and online entertainment. “Chanukah is all about light and we hope the crafts and entertainment brought some joy to children on the wards,” said the charity’s head of services, Daniel Gillis.
We’ll receive lots of smiles. I can’t thank Camp Simcha enough