Fun and games for sick children in Romford hospital

SICK youngsters in Queen’s Hospital were given their own legacy of laughter thanks to a charity - and a brave toddler called Jennifer.

Clowns in the Sky is dedicated to helping children with cancer - raising funds for research and providing games and entertainment.

The charity handed Tropical Lagoon Ward - the children’s oncology department at the hospital, in Rom Valley Way, Romford - an ‘activity trolley’, brimming with games and fun things to do, last Wednesday (November 3).

Donna Byrne, fundraising and development officer for Clowns, said: “The inspiration behind the charity is a little girl called Jennifer, who despite battling with a serious brain tumour found a sense of fun in each day of her treatment. One day after treatment she looked out of the car window and said, ‘look Mummy there are clowns in the sky!’

“It’s this sense of fun that has now been captured and is being actively promoted in children’s oncology wards throughout the UK.”

Tragically, after a nine month battle with an aggressive grade four tumour, Jennifer died aged just three.

The trolleys are funded by the National Lottery, through the Big Lottery Fund.

Donna added: “A big thank you to our volunteers and supporters, particularly at this moment in time to the Brentwood a Becket Rotary Club and Tracy Weatherley of Harold Wood.”

Clowns in the Sky is hoping to expand their work in Queen’s.

To help or donate, contact Donna by email on: donna.clownsinthesky@hotmail.co.uk or by phone on: 01708 756169

For further information visit: www.clownsinthesky.org