Why it matters: The donation means every child spending Christmas in the paediatric ward will receive a present, with additional items going to the ward's playroom for ongoing use.
The details: Snap Fitness at Martlesham Heath Retail Park launched the Christmas toy drive in early December, with club manager Asha Plavny-McKeon calling on members to donate toys, games and books for children aged 0-16 across the paediatric ward and paediatric A&E departments.
Members responded enthusiastically, with Waterstones in Martlesham supporting the initiative by offering gym members 50 per cent off books purchased for the drive. The final total exceeded the nearly 150 gifts collected by mid-December, ultimately delivering over 200 items.
Larger toys will remain in the hospital playroom, ensuring children benefit beyond Christmas.
For context: Asha's personal experience drove the initiative. She spent significant time in the paediatric ward during her younger years receiving treatment for chronic kidney disease, two kidney transplants and dialysis.
When delivering the donations, she was reunited with Siobhan, one of the playroom workers who was at the hospital during her time receiving treatment.
What they're saying: "The generosity and support of our members for this toy drive has had me lost for words," said Asha. "It was incredibly emotional for me to return and be able to give back to somewhere that means so much to me and hopefully put some smiles on faces to children spending the festive period in hospital."
She added: "From all of the team, I'd like to say a huge, heartfelt thank you for everyone that donated an item or two – it means so much."
The bottom line: A gym manager's childhood memories of hospital care have sparked a community response delivering Christmas joy to every child in Ipswich Hospital's paediatric ward this festive season.
