A PROJECT at Felixstowe Community Hospital to create a children's centre, paid for by an Evening Star fundraising campaign, has won a national award.

Richard Cornwell

A PROJECT at Felixstowe Community Hospital to create a children's centre, paid for by an Evening Star fundraising campaign, has won a national award.

The scheme provided a welcoming child-friendly area in the minor injuries unit as part of a £1.76million refurbishment of the hospital.

Blue footprints lead the children from reception to a bright and colourfully-decorated area featuring seaside scenes in the waiting area and a jungle with exotic animals in the treatment room.

Children from Fairfield Infants and Trimley St Martin primary schools provided the inspiration for the murals, working with artist Louise Greenwood, who then enlisted the help of A-level art students at Deben High School, who helped complete the designs.

The treatment room and waiting area has been “highly commended” in the Community Hospitals Association innovation awards.

The décor for the children's centre was paid for thanks to a £19,000 community appeal run by The Evening Star.

“We are delighted that the work to create this special children's area has been recognised in this way,” said Rachael Osborne, junior sister in the minor injuries unit at Felixstowe Hospital and the project's leader.

“We've had really good feedback on the centre so far, as it is light and bright and helps children coming into the hospital feel more at ease.

“It makes it extra special that the work was funded by donations and many of the ideas were provided by local children. It makes this a real community project of which everyone can be proud.”

Officials from the hospital will pick up the award at a ceremony in October.

The community hospital also features X-ray facilities, 16 in-patient beds, many clinics, minor operations suite, and a team of district nurses, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Has the children's centre made visits to hospital easier for your children? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk