A POPULAR Barrow toy shop has donated a playhouse to the children’s ward at Furness General Hospital.

The Entertainer toy shop, based on Dalton Road, has handed over a Little Tikes Cape Cottage Playhouse for the children’s ward at FGH after the hospital’s old one had started to show signs of wear and tear.

The shop also donated a whole range of other items for children to play with, from large bubble blowers to Spider-Man posters to decorate the room.

Heidi Bowron, charity and membership co-ordinator for the Bay Hospitals Charity, said: “The previous playhouse had seen better days and after we approached The Entertainer they very kindly made a donation.

“It is one of the most used pieces in the children’s play area and it was a really nice surprise to find they brought even more toys with them to donate.”

The Entertainer shop previously made another donation two years ago to the children’s ward.

John Edwards assistant manager at The Entertainer said: “After hearing that the children’s ward needed a new playhouse we were more than happy to help out.

“Local charities are at the heart of the company and last year the company donated £2.7million to local charities across the UK.

“It is part of our mantra that childhood is a right not a privilege and it is so important that children are allowed to have fun so we are more than happy to make a donation to the children’s ward and hope the children enjoy the new playhouse.”

Josephine Holmes, children’s ward manager said: “The children have always loved playing in the playhouse - it is definitely the most used toy on the ward.

“It is great that they have brought in bubble blowers as we often use these as a distraction when children are having tests. Things like this can make a massive difference to a child’s experience on the ward.

“It is important that children don’t just associate the hospital as a place filled with illness but also as a place they can come to get better as well as having some fun.”