Addenbrooke's pamper evening raises £700 for specialist toy library

A ladies' pampering evening held at Addenbrooke's has raised over £700 for the Cambridge and District Toy Library, which is based at the hospital's Child Development Centre.

 

Medical secretary Ann Gooch, who organised the evening, said: “The therapists donated their time, and for £5, ladies got 15 taster treatments like nails, a facial, or a head massage. We also had with several jewellery stalls, books, and a raffle. I'm really pleased we raised so much money – and I'm very grateful to everyone who took part."

 

Rosemary Lawrance, the toy librarian, said: “For children with sensory disabilities or speech and language problems, specialist toys can be a wonderful way of exploring the world differently and learning that they can control their environment. But the toys are expensive, they're not easy for parents to buy, and it can take time to find the right toy for a particular child. We let children at the Child Development Centre borrow a toy for three months for just 20p.

 

“The Child Development Centre toy library has recently reopened, and we are in the process of replacing all the old toys with brand new ones. This money will really help."