New play area for Bramble Ward kids!

Children and young people staying in the RD&E’s Bramble Unit now have a completely revamped outside play area thanks to a massive fundraising drive by local people.

More than £32,000 has been raised since 2014. The Exeter Lions, who funded the original play area built in the mid-1980s, kick-started and then masterminded a fundraising campaign which was joined by the Exeter Foundation, bike riders from  ‘ Otter Wheels’ , and backed up by other donations from a multitude of other generous individuals, including the children themselves.

The play area has been given a full range of new brightly coloured equipment including large wooden climbing frame, walkways, buggies and play house. It has also been resurfaced with a child-friendly ‘soft bounce’ material that will last for many years to come.

Every child loves a playground but at Bramble it is an essential area to help recovery and boost the well-being of the many brave children and young people who need to stay on the ward.

The play area is now officially open after a special celebration at Bramble this month. Sarah Haywood, Senior Nurse for Paediatrics at the RD&E, said: “This campaign has been an incredible journey for all of us and we are so proud and delighted that it has been possible to raise so much money to make such an improvement to the outside play area.

“We could not have done this without the support, dedication and generosity of all the fundraisers involved, and I would like to publically thank them for everything they’ve done and continue to do for the RD&E and our children, young people and families.

“The new play area is a wonderful outside space which will serve our children and their families well for many years to come.”