News

Patients admitted into the Children’s Ward of Albury Wodonga Health will have new toys to entertain them during their stay, thanks to fundraising efforts of students from Wodonga Senior Secondary College.

During COVID-19 lockdowns in 2021, Year 12 students decided to pitch in and support the Children’s Ward.

“As part of our Graduate Program, myself and four friends decided to work on a project to support children and youth throughout our community” Year 12 student, Ashtyn Saddington, said.

“I have a passion for paediatrics.  I want to work on the children’s ward when I finish university, so it was an obvious choice for me that we’d focus our efforts on supporting the Albury Children’s Ward.

“The purpose of the “Toys4Kids” project is to put smiles on the faces of kids doing it tough, which is why we decided to raise funds for toys for the Children’s Ward.

“We wanted to show the school’s full support for the project, so decided to host a causal clothes day, with donations going to this cause.  We had planned this for October last year, but due to COVID restrictions and shutdowns, had to defer it until May this year.

“We opened donations not only for money, but for donation of toys.  These could be brand new, or still in fantastic condition, but with plenty of joy left in them.

“We saw an outpouring of generosity from students and families at Wodonga Senior Secondary College, with over 100 toys donated.

“We are so happy to be able to support children and youth in our community, and to give back to the Children’s Ward team, who work so hard every day to put smiles on sick kid’s faces.”

AWH Children’s Ward Nurse Unit Manager, Samantha Peet, says these toys will brighten the day of children admitted into the ward.

“The Children’s ward see around 250-300 kids a month, these toys will help brings smiles to the children’s faces in tough times.” Miss Peet said.

“We try to make the Children’s ward a friendly non threating environment as possible, as it can be a tough time in children’s lives when they’re admitted here.

“It’s been challenging over the last few years for everyone in the region – especially families needing to be in the children’s ward, with the various COVID restrictions really impacting those families.

“Donations like this help bring joy to everyone – from the staff on the ward, parents and the children themselves.  Any little thing that brings big smiles to these kids is amazing!

“These donations will be well received by everyone in the Children’s ward, and we thank Ashtyn and the students at Wodonga Senior Secondary for their hard work and generosity.

The toys will be given out to all the patients admitted to the Children’s ward to help make a long day enjoyable. 

For more information on supporting Albury Wodonga Health, including how to make a donation, please contact the AWH Foundation on awh.foundation@awh.org.au