JOLLY & THE IVY
Packed Lunch star Steph McGovern backs Sun’s Xmas appeal visiting tiny Ivy Whelan who spent six days in ICU
WRAPPED up in her cosy pink coat, little Ivy Whelan rushes in to see Santa in his grotto.
She grins and is delighted when he hands her a gift.
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No one can believe the four-year-old has just spent six days in intensive care.
Mum Sophie, 28, said: “She was really poorly with a chest infection.
"She’s like a totally different child now.”
We want to thank our readers who have donated thousands so far to our Joy For The Ward appeal this Christmas in aid of NHS Charities Together.
The charity gives grants to life-changing projects at more than 230 NHS charities across the UK.
Your money will help kids like Ivy by funding specialist equipment and staff, mental health care, accommodation for families, and more — including treats like Ivy’s, which brighten up hospital for scared children.
And there is STILL time to donate.
Meanwhile Santa was not the only special visitor to Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital — he was joined by TV host Steph McGovern.
The Packed Lunch presenter returned to her home town to support our appeal.
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She said: “This hospital has a place in my heart because my mam worked here for 40 years, as a radiographer. I know how hard the staff work.
“It’s nice to meet the kids. Going to hospital is scary for them, so to meet Santa and have a treat is great.”
A&E can, indeed, be very daunting for kids. But at James Cook, it is far less so thanks to the hospital’s new Children’s Emergency Department.
‘I just cried’
Sophie, who works for a children’s hospice, took Ivy when a wheeze she had repeatedly been to her GP about got worse.
Ivy needed oxygen, intravenous antibiotics and a nebuliser to help her breathe.
Sophie said: “She was braver than me. I cried.”
When Ivy was well enough, staff entertained her with toys and painting. Ivy said: “I made Mummy a birthday card.”
During her visit, Steph, who hosted Channel 4’s Paralympic coverage this summer, also met Owen Swift, 23, a volunteer at the hospital.
He helped advise on the new department from a wheelchair-user’s perspective.
Owen, who has a spinal condition, said: “When I first went in, they planned to use a portable hoist, but that requires a few staff members. A permanent one can be used by just one.”
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Keeping warm in a yurt where visitors enjoyed mince pies, was Lisa Hebron, the Children’s Emergency Department manager.
She told Steph: “Going into an adults’ A&E can make children anxious. Now we’ve got a bright place for them with lots of children’s nurses – they settle in much quicker.”
We'll double your donation
THE Sun’s parent company News UK will match-fund your donation.
So if you give £10, the total donation is £20. Match-funding is available for the first £20,000 of donations so please give what you can.
A News UK spokeswoman said: “No parent would choose for their child to be in hospital at Christmas and we’re really happy to support this very worthwhile cause”.
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HOW TO GIVE
The Sun’s Joy To The Ward appeal is raising money for NHS Charities Together, the national, independent charity supporting more than 230 NHS charities across the UK.
Your donations will help support children and families going through the toughest times imaginable, providing specialist equipment and services along with toys, play- workers, parents’ accommodation and much more.
DONATE ONLINE: Scan the QR code above with your phone camera to go straight through to our donation page or visit .
DONATE BY TEXT: Text JOY to 70607 to donate £10 to NHS Charities Together. You’ll be charged £10, plus one message at your standard network rate. NHS Charities Together will receive 100% of your donation.
DONATE BY POST: Use the coupon on the left.
- NHS Charities Together is the trading name of the Association of NHS Charities. Registered Charity No 1186569 (England & Wales) and SC050716 (Scotland). Company No 12325259
My beautiful girl spent Christmas in hospital after gruelling leukaemia battle
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