Co Down teens bring 'home comforts' to hospital's paediatric ward with personalised cups

Teens from Co Down have brought some "home comforts" to a hospital's paediatric ward by gifting each child and staff member a personalised drinking cup.

The students from Bangor Academy, who are in the Lower Sixth Young Enterprise group called ‘CWAC’ (Creation With A Cause), have been producing personalised drinkware with the aim of donating an individual colour changing cup to a child in hospital for every one purchased.

They visited the ward at the Ulster Hospital, where staff said they provided a "real boost" on the ward by providing a meaningful gift.

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Lower Sixth pupil, Mollie Carnduff explained: “As part of our business model, we have a buy one give one ethos, in that every cup we sell, we gift another to a sick child staying in hospital. We wanted to visit the Ulster Hospital and create a cup for each child that is staying on the wards and make something that is meaningful for them.

"It has been amazing to have spent time on the ward and to be able to give out the cups to the children ourselves. We are all delighted to bring a bit of home comfort to the Paediatric Ward."

Head of Business Studies Department at Bangor Academy, Gillian Murray described her pupils as “inspirational.” Gillian said: "I am so proud of the students. The ethos of the group and their project is to bring joy to children’s hospitals.

"Some of our team and friends have experienced hospital stays and we understand that being in a hospital can make one miss the comforts of home. That’s where ‘CWAC’ steps in.

"The personalised cups are designed to add a “touch of warmth” to a child staying in hospital and we are delighted to be able to bring these to the Ulster Hospital’s Paediatric Ward so that the children can receive a unique and uplifting gift.”

In the midst of the flurry of activity on the ward, one bottle was especially meaningful as it was gifted to five day old Elsie Patterson.

Elsie’s proud dad, Luke, added: “This means a lot to new parents like ourselves. This is Elsie’s first gift and we just want to say thank you to Bangor Academy.”

Ulster Hospital Play Specialist Gillian Sinclair added that the visit from Bangor Academy had provided a “real boost” on the ward. Gillian said: “The idea of gifting a water bottle is great, especially as we come into the hotter weather and we encourage the children to drink more liquids.

"There has been such a great atmosphere here on the ward and we are very thankful that the pupils gave up their time to visit the staff, children and their families."

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