How to entertain your kids and bring a smile to children in hospital

Tyler's Trust was set up in 2015 when Tyler Murphy was undergoing treatment for a brain tumour at St Richard's Hospital, after giving goody bags to children on his ward, the idea snowballed and Tyler's Trust now delivers goody bags to children with a brain tumour or are suffering a life-threatening illness as well as their parents.

Find out more about Tyler's Trust here.

Juliet Stallard is part of the Tyler's Trust team said, as a mother juggling homeschooling, work and other commitments, she understands the struggle of finding something for your little ones to do, but said making the cards could be a welcome relief as part of a community project.

She said: "Tyler's Trust, like many charities, have lost a lot of their income from community fundraising this year but this scheme isn't about fundraising - it's about linking with the community.

"It will also help us to raise awareness of the charity. We have lost our connection with the community a little bit - we are all struggling at the moment and it is about everyone being able to give back to people who are less fortunate.

"When Tyler was in hospital he got loads of cards sent to him and that was a big bit of support for him. It says 'here's a card that someone has made for you and they are thinking about your situation."

Juliet said the charity is currently helping to support 200 families, "They will stay on our books for as long as they need us," she added.

So far the charity has received fewer than ten card but hopes the scheme will also act as a fun lockdown challenge for children and parents to take part in.

Tyler's mother, Jan Ellis said: "We have been pretty much like everybody just doing what we can during lockdown. It has affected a lot of our families to a greater degree because they are stuck in hospital and without the support they would normally have.

"What we did initially was deliver three lots of deliveries to all the families we support.

"Design a picture that can then be sent to our next lot. Even though we can't come and see you we are thinking of you and trying to cheer them up a little bit.

"We have had a few come in but it something we would really like local schools to get on board with or parents who are looking for home activities for their children. It can be done in any format."

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