Scottish Book Trust has delivered books and toys to young patients at The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People.
The national reading and writing charity donated twenty of their popular Squishy Bookbug Reading Cushions, which are normally sold through Scottish Book Trust’s online shop to raise funds for the charity.
These squishy cushions will be given to young patients, allowing them to enjoy books and Bookbug sessions in comfort during their hospital stay.
Scottish Book Trust also donated two boxes of brand-new books for children and young people to enjoy while at the hospital. These included engaging stories for primary school ages and flap books for early years. Books are so popular at the Hospital that donations always go quickly.
The supplies were distributed with the help of Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, which supports the children who are admitted to the children’s hospital at Little France, and their families.
With support from Scottish Book Trust, Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity has been running Bookbug Sessions in the Hospital Hub and on the wards to share stories, songs and rhymes with the children during their stay. These sessions are loved by children, young people and their families.
In this National Year of Reading, it’s more important than ever to promote the power of reading to children, and to inspire them through a love of stories and songs.
Catriona McIntyre, Arts and Wellbeing Manager at Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity said: ‘Scottish Book Trust supports families within the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in a huge variety of ways.
“The books that are so kindly donated help moments of connection during challenging times, supports bedtime routines, aids imagination and curiosity. Books are such an important part of our Wellbeing Hub, highlighting that this is a space for fun and enjoyment, just for them.
‘Bookbug is incredibly popular and ECHC is delighted to be able to host such a familiar event for families that would normally be going to in their local libraries and bring a little piece of normality.
“Our Bookbug sessions are facilitated by our lovely volunteer, Alison. Alison’s sessions have been such a hit in the hospital that she recently won a Volunteer Edinburgh Inspiring Volunteer Awards for her work volunteering in The Hub.’
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: ‘We were delighted to be able to donate our Bookbug reading cushions and books to Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, and we are pleased to hear just how much enjoyment they will give children and young people who have been admitted to hospital.
‘Book gifting is a vital part of our mission at Scottish Book Trust. We aim to help everyone in Scotland access books and all the benefits they bring through reading and writing. All proceeds from our shop help fund our charity to do more of its life-changing work.’
