After an amazing Bristol Brick show 2022, GertLUG were able to donate an fantastic £6813.55 plus £1000 worth of LEGO sets to Children's Hospice South West. This was a fantastic amount to be raised and Emily, Paul and Carol took it over to the Hospice. As a thank you the Hospice invited the LUG to return for a tour of their facilities so we could see where all the money we raised has gone.
Last week, Emily, Jamie, Georgia and James all took the trip out to Charlton Farm to see the Children's Hospice. The lovely Kylie Gallagher showed us around and spent a lot of time answering our questions about the hospice and what they do.
It was a really interesting tour of the building and facilities. We were shown around the communal areas such as the dinning area, kitchens, conservatory and gardens. They showed us their games rooms, soft play, sensory room, art space, music therapy and they even had a small pool area that the families can use together. All of these rooms have equipment and the things needed to help children in wheelchairs and who have other needs. It was so lovely to see a bright and airy place with lots of different activities for the children to do. We even spotted some LEGO around!
There were also rooms for the siblings of the children to use and a team of dedicated staff who are there for the siblings when they stay at the facilities. We got to see the family rooms where parents and siblings stay when they have a child in the hospice. Unfortunately we were unable to see a child's room due to a family staying.
It was interesting to hear how, since covid, they do a lot more with families in the community and in their own homes. The hospice itself is used by some families to book in for some recharge time while others use it in emergency situations. It was nice to know that if they are in need, the hospice has the space to take them in at short notice.
I would like to say a big thank you for everything the teams do at the Hospice and for taking the time to show us around.