ABOUT 100 children joined a morning tea at Clarkson’s Ocean Keys Shopping Centre to raise funds for the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Donations from the Kids Club Christmas Party on December 2 go towards medical expertise, clinical research, leading-edge equipment, distraction therapy and activities and collaborations.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWThe $2325 raised last year went to Fun on Four, a place where patients and families can spend time away from a clinical setting while at the hospital.
Merriwa parents Brooke Somner and Gary Hicks have spent a lot of time at Fun on Four with son Brax (4) having been in and out of hospital since he was born.
Born with one kidney and a number of other serious medical conditions, Brax has had close to 30 surgeries, one of which was a kidney transplant, with the organ donated by Ms Somner.
She said this month marked one year since the transplant and while successful, it was not a cure, with treatment ongoing.
“We’ve spent a huge amount of time at hospital – we haven’t yet gone a full month without an appointment,” she said.
“Because we spend so much time in hospital we go to Fun on Four a lot.
“It’s an incredible spot; it doesn’t feel like you’re in a hospital – it feels like you’re in a fun park.
“There is so much to do – the kids can totally immerse themselves and forget about their sickness or appointments and just be kids having fun.”
More than 13,000 children have spent time at Fun on Four since the hospital opened in June, with 26,402 visitors in total including parents.
The precinct offers art, craft and music areas, dedicated spaces for toddlers and teens, a sensory room, cinema; outdoor play area and a book bunker.
