Overwhelming response after theft from children’s ward

There has been an overwhelming public response to news that a PlayStation 4 was stolen from Wellington Regional Hospital’s children’s ward.

Donated by the Wellington Hospitals Foundation, the PS4 was stolen from the children’s oncology day unit during Waitangi weekend.

Foundation chair Bill Day said the Foundation and Capital & Coast District Health Board have been inundated with donations since the news broke.

“The public response has been outstanding and we just want to thank everyone who has donated PlayStations, games and money,” he said.

To date around 12 new and used PlayStation consoles and 15 games have been received.

“We’ve received donations from New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Canada and the US. We’ve also received over $5000 – meaning that, as well as replacing what was stolen – we now have the opportunity to buy other items for the children’s wards.”

CCDHB general manager hospital and healthcare services Chris Lowry thanked everyone for the generosity they’d shown since the theft.

“While it’s very disappointing that people would essentially steal from children undergoing treatment, it is extremely heartening to see so many people rallying around to make things right,” she said.

“Distraction toys and educational equipment are essential for young patients who spend long periods in hospital. The generosity shown this week means we’ll be able to make the children that much more comfortable while they’re here.”

Media contact: Chas Te Runa – 027 230 9571

Images:

1)Patient Angus Little with one of the PlayStations donated to the children’s ward.

2)Patient Angus Little and his mother, Wendy, with donated PlayStations.