A fairytale comes true

Eight years ago a very special Fairy planted the seed of an idea and now a vision has blossomed in a courtyard at the John Hunter Children's Hospital.

But the wait has all been worth it!

For many years now senior staff at the John Hunter Children's Hospital have recognised the value of providing recreational facilities in the healthcare environment for sick and injured children and their families.

For children, the trauma of being hospitalised can be greatly minimised through recreational activities such as play and music therapy. Combine this with an environment where art, playgrounds and gardens are considered equally integral to health and wellbeing and you have a recipe for recovery. For families it offers an opportunity for respite and relaxation – often whilst immersed in stressful situations.

When Fairy Sparkle first posed the idea of building a Forest Garden on the John Hunter campus it marked the start of a journey by many to ensure that a stay in hospital is as pleasant and enjoyable as possible.

During that journey, patients of the John Hunter Children's Hospital have reaped the benefits from the introduction of enormously successful programs such as Play Therapy and Music Therapy - both made possible through community support - and the construction of new facilities designed around patient and family comfort.

The introduction of the structured Play Therapy program also resulted in the provision and enhancement of playground facilities for every children's ward.

In addition to the introduction of these specialist programs, the first major transformation of the courtyard commenced with the construction of two new facilities - the Ronald McDonald Family Room and Starlight Express Room.

These projects were also the realisation of a community dream to provide better recreational facilities in the children's hospital and were only made possible by the tireless fundraising work of many groups in the Hunter and beyond.

Now the pride and joy of staff and visitors alike… the Ronald and Starlight rooms are tremendous assets for the children and their families who visit our Hospital.

The Ronald McDonald Family Room was the first of its kind in Australia when it opened in 2003. Supported by a wonderful band of Volunteers, it is a place where patients' families can unwind and escape the pressures of ward life while utilising kitchen, dining, lounge and shower facilities.

The Starlight Express Room is now in its second year of operation and has proven its worth as a fun-time escape for sick kids. The room is managed by resident Captains Starlight and offers access to a range of games and art and craft activities. State of the art audiovisual equipment in the performance space ensures that all entertainment in the room is televised to those children too sick to leave their beds.

And now, thanks to major sponsor , Variety, the Children's Charity , our Pièce de Résistance becomes a reality. The Fairy Sparkle Forest Garden brings together all these amazing facilities, so highly regarded and greatly appreciated in the Hospital setting.

Extending beyond the new playground adjacent to the Ronald Room the Forest Garden signifies the journey's completion and will provide a sanctuary for patients, their visitors and care-givers as well as a place for staff to enjoy.

On Saturday 24 September, the Lord Mayor ‘turned the first sod' over the roots of a frangipani tree that was lifted by crane over hospital walls into the garden. Some very special little guests helped sprinkle “fairy dust” around its roots to wish the garden well. Planting is now well underway, and once fully established many inclusions such as ‘Ornamentals', small children's characters, and other sensory items within the Garden will provide an attraction to children and other users. Several semi-private spaces will be established to accommodate small groups with seating facilities and attractions.

A very special resident will live in the garden… but that's a tale for another time.

If you are interested in supporting Fairy Sparkle to maintain this amazing Forest Garden please contact the Kaleidoscope fundraising team at the John Hunter Children's Hospital on (02) 4921 4492.