Paediatric Oncology rooms refurbished

Children and young people who are having oncology treatment on Bramble ward at the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital can now enjoy two newly refurbished rooms thanks to Dawlish charity Richard’s Wish.

Richard’s Wish was set up in memory of seventeen year old Richard Cridge, who had oncology treatment for Ewings Sarcoma on Bramble ward before he passed away in 2008.

The refurbished rooms, which have been designed with teenagers and young people in mind, were recently opened by Richard’s parents, Jo and Dave Cridge, along with representatives from the charity and the Exeter Foundation. Guests then enjoyed a tea party in the Bramble playroom to celebrate the completion of the £10,000 refurbishment.    

“Richard spent an awful lot of time in those rooms during his treatment,” said Jo Cridge. “He always used to say that they needed uplifting. Hospitals can be so boring.”

Thanks to the charity’s help, the rooms have been decorated with a seascape mural and each have a desk area and wardrobe which can be used by the patient and their relatives. They also have internet access, which is ideal for young patients to use to keep in touch with their friends during a stay in hospital.

Jo added: “The rooms are a real home from home now. They are light and airy, and don’t have that hospital look anymore. You see something different every time you go in.” 

“The rooms are just lovely” agreed Dave Cridge.  “They are everything that we would hope they would be. And we are really proud to see the Richard’s Wish signs above the door. We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped us raise the money.”

Dr Corinne Hayes, Consultant Paediatrician from Bramble ward said: “We are so grateful to Richard's Wish for all the work they do to support local children, teenagers and young adults having treatment for cancer.

"The changes to the cubicles have made a huge difference for our patients and their families. The wall art is bright and cheerful, there are wardrobes, shelves to store toys/ puzzles and books and comfortable chairs. Particularly when children/ young people need to stay for many days it allows them to create a 'home from home' environment. Richard was a remarkable young man with a warm, generous character and I know he would be proud of all the work his parents and wider family and friends do in his memory.”

Jo and Dave Cridge, began fundraising to refurbish these rooms in April 2008, with an annual charity ball held in Dawlish.

Thanks to ticket sales, auctions and raffles, and with the help of the charity’s first Trustees Jimmy Hill and Mandy Bearne, enough funds were soon raised for the refurbishment and more. 

The charity has also been able to support young patients and their families who are undergoing treatment for cancer by providing them with a wish. The wish can be for anything they want, and have included iPads, day trips and theatre tickets, and they are often able to help siblings too.

Find out more about Richard’s Wish by visiting www.richardswish.co.uk