11th Jun 2025
'RotaKids' in mission to help anxious patients
A heartfelt thank you to Rotary St Helens, the knitting and crochet group UnTangled Haydock, and the wonderful children from Holy Cross Primary School, who visited Whiston Hospital last week!
As 'RotaKids' - the children's version of Rotary Club - the children from Holy Cross were tasked to provide Whiston Hospital with woollen octopuses for patients in hospital. These octopuses are created using soft wool, and touching and feeling them is proven to help provide comfort and combat anxiety in patients who are vulnerable or frail. The RotaKids raised £50 for the wool by holding various fundraising events at school, and worked with a local knitting and crocheting group called UnTangled to crochet the octopuses.
The children were delighted to meet with A&E staff to deliver the octopuses personally, and enjoyed hearing stories about how the octopuses help patients both young and old.
These thoughtful gifts will bring comfort and calm to patients on our frailty wards and in A&E. Your kindness and creativity mean so much. Thank you for making a difference!