Special wedding gift for children with burns

When Mark and Hilary Fowler from Beckenham in Kent tied the knot last summer they asked their guests not to buy them wedding gifts but to make a donation to the Chelsea and Westminster Burns Unit.

They decided to make this generous offer after their daughter Hannah, now 2 ½, was treated in the Unit following an accident in October 2003.

Mark Fowler said: ”We were delighted with the care that Hannah received and wanted to give something back to the recognise their excellent work.

“In some ways we know Hannah was very lucky as there are children with far more serious burn injuries who need a lot of care and treatment. We are pleased that the money raised has gone towards something which will benefit a large number of children in the future.”

£1,300 has now been donated and is being used to buy a sensory trolley which will be presented at a special Easter party at the Hospital for the Burns Unit Family Group on 1 April 2005.

The sensory trolley will help to provide a soothing environment for children suffering from burns. Play Specialist Sarah Howarth said: “We are delighted with this very generous gift and on behalf of all the staff I would like to say a big thank you.

“In the past we would have to take children with burns to the outpatients department to use the sensory room there or borrow sensory equipment from the children’s ward. Even this was not always possible especially for those children with very severe burns.”

“The sensory trolley helps to distract children when they are having their dressing done but can also be used as part of their rehabilitation.”

Photographers are invited to attend the party which starts at 2.00pm on 1 April on the Hospital’s stage 2nd floor lift bank D. Please confirm with the press office if you are attending on 020 7808 9899.

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