Easter donation keeps kids feeling sunny side up

A generous gesture from the Townsville Mt Stuart Lions Club has meant patients at the Townsville University Hospital children’s ward will still get all
the egg-citement that Easter has to offer with the club donating 100 chocolate eggs to be delivered safely by staff on Easter morning.

Townsville Mt Stuart Lions Club president Di Pyers said the club was happy to donate the eggs.

“It’s been an ongoing tradition of ours for one of our club members to get dressed up as the Easter bunny and hand out eggs, but unfortunately this year because of the necessary restrictions we aren’t able to do that,” Di said.

“We still wanted to do something to make Easter special, so we reached out to the Townsville Hospital Foundation who were more than happy to help facilitate the donation of the chocolate eggs to ensure that children in hospital still felt a bit of joy on Easter morning.”

Di said the club wanted patients to know that while the community weren’t able to visit, they were still in their thoughts.

“We have no doubt that it’s been a bit tricky for children at the moment, but we want them to know that the community is still thinking about them,” Di said.

Children’s ward nurse unit manager Marissa Edmondson said the team was delighted with the donation.

“Being in hospital is never a fun experience, particularly over a holiday, and this year it’s compounded because of restrictions on visiting hours,” Marissa said.

“Gestures like this mean so much to our patients and to their families and we are very grateful to the club.”