Wednesday, 8 August 2012
Amy Claire Davies, 17, from Llansamlet, Swansea has been named the regional winner for Wales in the National Play in Hospital Week Art Competition, judged by comedian Harry Hill.
Amy Claire, who suffers from an undiagnosed multi system disease, has been undergoing treatment at Morriston Hospital and was encouraged to enter the competition by the play specialists there. Her winning picture demonstrates how music, fun and entertainment help to distract her from her illness while at hospital.
Picture: Amy’s winning drawing.Organised by Starlight Children’s Foundation and National Association of Health Play Specialists (NAHPS), the competition asked children and young people who are poorly to produce a drawing that illustrates how play in hospital helps them. Hundreds of entries flooded in but it was the drawing produced by Amy Claire that caught Harry Hill’s eye.
Jan Williams has worked as a play specialist at Morriston Hospital for 11 years and knows the benefits of play. She said: “National Play in Hospital Week is a chance for us to show how important play is in the treatment of poorly children.
“Play is at the very centre of a healthy child’s life. From the earliest age playing helps children to learn, to relate to other people and to have fun.
“Play has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety for children in hospital and significantly aid their recovery and rehabilitation. Play can really make a difference.”
“Play has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety for children in hospital and significantly aid their recovery and rehabilitation. Play can really make a difference.”
“We are delighted that Harry Hill liked Amy Claire’s brilliant drawing and are really proud that she has been named as regional winner for Wales.”
After the judging, Harry Hill commented: "It was a great honour to be asked to judge the National Play in Hospital Week Art Competition with Starlight and NAHPS.
“There were some great entries from across the UK and it was fascinating to see how each child had depicted the way in which play helps them when they are in hospital. Although they were all very different, each entry clearly showed that, whether it’s cuddling a teddy, blowing bubbles, or simply having a giggle, play really helps poorly children to cope with their pain and anxiety when in hospital."
Online children’s toy shop Letterbox has generously provided exciting prizes for Amy Claire and the other winners. In addition, the winning drawings will be used on marketing and publicity materials used to advertise National Play in Hospital Week.
National Play in Hospital Week, will be celebrated between 8th and 14th October and aims to raise awareness of the benefits of play in the treatment of poorly children across the UK.
To find out more about National Play in Hospital Week, please visit www.starlight.org.uk / www.nahps.org.uk