The Canberra Hospital paediatric ward was filled with cheesy grins and excited giggles today!
The Royal Canberra Show and Canberra FM delivered young hospital patients some show bags and brought a whole lot of laughter and smiles to their day.
Nine-year-old Abbey was smiling from ear to ear after choosing her Kawaii themed show bag and told Canberra Daily she “feels happy”.
For Abbey, her favourite item in her bag was the ‘squishy sticker’.
“I’m glad that this hospital is doing this and giving kids these gift bags because it’s making other kids feel great,” she said. “It makes me feel calm and relaxed.”
Three-year-old Max loved his ‘Blippi’ bag, while four-year-old Archie was stoked with his ‘Bluey’ bag, and three-year-old Angelina was bouncing with excitement over her ‘Minnie Mouse ‘bag.
Royal Canberra Show CEO Geoff Cannock was at the Canberra Hospital to witness the children’s joy and said the Show commits to gifting show bags every year because “part of our job is putting a smile on children’s faces”.
Mr Cannock said seeing children light up with happiness when they come to the Show is what motivates many of their 800 volunteers. So, to be able to spread some cheer to children who are unable to be there in person is “wonderful”.
“That’s why we do it,” he said.
Delivering the show bags in person makes him feel like he’s from the “advantaged part of society,” Mr Cannock said.
“It makes me feel that I’m well off, to be honest. The kids here have so many problems that I’ve never had to confront in my life, nor of my children, nor of my grandchildren,” he said.
“So, this is just a great exercise. Show bags are so much a part of Australian cultural heritage in terms of agricultural shows – it’s the only place in the world that do show bags.
“Today’s a fun day with kids who sometimes might have days where there’s not a lot of fun.”
Canberra Hospital nurse manager for paediatrics, Donna Cleary, said spending time in hospital can be challenging for young people and their families, especially if you’re missing out on the experience of going to the Show.
Ms Cleary said the gifted show bags are a “very welcome distraction” for children and their families, leaving children in less pain and in happier moods.
Josh, from Canberra FM, said it’s great to “bring some normalcy to kids who are going through some of the toughest stuff a kid can go through”.
Happily, this morning’s special delivery made the day of many young patients at Canberra Hospital.
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