Magician, pony and fire engine visit hospital

The hospital was celebrating national Play in Healthcare Week

A magician, a fire engine, and a pony visited the children's ward at Telford's hospital to help boost the mood of young people being treated there.

The activities, at the Princess Royal Hospital, were part of national Play in Healthcare week.

It aims to showcase the importance of play for the emotional and mental wellbeing of babies, children and young people.

"Children’s stays are usually quite short, but if we can improve it, get them out of their beds and into the playroom, it keeps them busy," said Julie Hockenhull, a hospital play specialist on the ward.

"It takes their mind off what they’ve actually come in for, and a lot of the time they don’t want to go home, they're having so much fun," she added.

"We do a lot of distraction and preparation for scans and unpleasant procedures, so this bring a smile to everybody's faces

"It brings a smile to the parents as well."

David Oakley the magician visits children at the Princess Royal Hospital once a month

Magician David Oakley visits the children on the ward once a month.

"It’s very rewarding, especially when you see children laugh," he said.

"I’ve had parents say to me over the years, 'My little child hasn’t smiled for weeks and you’ve had them laughing.'"

"Then you know you’ve done a good job."

He added that the best part of the job was seeing the children's faces.

The hospital also welcomed Shropshire Fire and Rescue service, Bracken the therapy Shetland pony, and held various craft activities.

To finish the week, the children will tie dye their own T-shirts on Saturday.