A team from New Zealand Police visited the children’s hospital yesterday morning to deliver gifts they collected as part of a Christmas toy appeal for sick kids.
Boxes of gifts were collected from staff at the New Zealand Police College, Police National Headquarters, and the Lower North Island and Upper South Island Police stations. The appeal also included private company donations.
Police cars lined up outside the entrance to the children’s hospital, and members of the New Zealand Police and Armed Offenders Squad delivered the gifts throughout the children’s hospital wards. Children and staff got to meet the officers, dress up in uniform and check out the inside of the Police cars and mobile Police unit.
The appeal was coordinated by Police officer, Daniel Ralph, who says he wanted to make a real and positive difference to children and families who will be spending Christmas in hospital. “We see huge amounts of deprivation and negativity in our roles as Police officers. So it means a lot to us to be able put a smile on a child’s face who’s unwell and away from home.”
Wellington Hospital Foundation Chair, Bill Day, says patients, families and staff at Wellington’s children’s hospital were overwhelmed by the gifts and the visit from New Zealand Police. “A big part of what we do is focused around creating moments of happiness for kids in hospital – thing that allow them to just be kids. We’re very grateful to Daniel and NZ Police for bringing so much joy to children and their parents today,” Mr Day says.
Merry Christmas from the NZ Police, Wellington Children’s Hospital and Wellington Hospitals Foundation!