Infusions Group, the company behind the ICE restaurant in Rougham, has donated a sensory unit to the paediatric emergency department at the West Suffolk Hospital.
The unit is used to distract and calm young patients who are receiving emergency treatment.
Thanks to quiz nights, raffles and donations from their cook school, owners John and Lou Jackman were welcomed to the department with their operations director, Sarah Stamp, to see the unit and find out the difference the equipment will make.
For the past two years ICE has been fundraising for the My WiSH Charity, which supports the hospital, and the latest donation of £5,500 was specifically donated to the WiSH Upon A Star Children’s Appeal which supports children both in the hospital and in the community with the money focused on the emergency department.
Claire Thompson, play specialist for the unit, said: “This unit is just fantastic. The lights and sounds are just a great distraction for our patients and, because it’s mobile, we can move it around the department.”
Sue Smith, head of fundraising for My WiSH, thanked Infusions and added: “This is the third time Infusions has supported us and we are so grateful. They have previously donated to our Macmillan Unit and our end-of-life Butterfly Garden and now children, which just shows the range of care we support.”
John Jackaman, owner of the Infusions Group and ICE Restaurant, said: “It is always a privilege to work with Sue and her inspirational team at My WiSH – the work they do and the difference they make is incredible.
“We were so glad to be able to support the emergency team with this important project and it was fantastic to see the piece of equipment in action and hear from Claire, first hand, what a difference it is already making to children in trauma. We would like to say a huge thank you to our team and also to all of our generous customers who supported us to raise the money.”
Sue finished by saying: “We cannot thank John, Lou, Sarah and all their customers enough. They really have been incredible and made such a difference.”
To find out more about My WiSH Charity, go to www.mywishcharity.co.uk