AN NHS trust held a week of fun and games for young patients as part of a national campaign.

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospital’s NHS Trust (BHRUT), which runs King George hospital in Ilford, held a series of fun activities to help keep young patients happy.

The activities were held during national Play in Hospital Week to raise awareness of the benefits of play for poorly children.

On Tuesday, October 8, youngsters got the chance to try syringe painting, squirting colourful paint onto old sheets from syringes.

One of the young artists, Jaylen Durojaiye, 10, said: “I loved it!”

It also gave four-year old Archie Fenson, who was in hospital due to his asthma something fun to focus on. His dad, Peter, said: “He’s feeling a bit better today. Activities like this are so important as they really do help.”

On Thursday, October 10, children got messy with gloop, slime and Play Doh.

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A nurse joins Subhan as he plays with the teddy hospital

Cerys Gabriel-Smith, 12, also in hospital due to asthma, loved playing with gloop. She said: “It’s fun to play, especially as it’s really boring in bed.”

On Friday, October 11, a teddy bear’s hospital let youngsters – potential doctors of the future – get to grips with making his furry friends better.

Sadaf Ansar, mum to four-year-old Subhan, in hospital following a fit, was delighted to see him playing.

She said: “He loves to play doctor with his teddies at home. He has all types of toys but his doctor kit, which his grandad bought him, is his favourite.

“He plays with his sister, checking over her dolls. He loves checking the eyes and ears.”

Caroline Jenkins, BHRUT play specialist, said: “We’ve had a fantastic week with lots of activities for the children to take part in. We do these activities all the time for our patients, however, Play in Hospital Week has given us the chance to raise awareness about the work we do, and why it matters.

“It’s so important that children are still able to play when they’re in hospital. It can alleviate boredom and helps distract them. I’m so pleased that this week has been such a success, and all the children have really enjoyed themselves.”