10th June 2011 - Four-year-old Paddy opens new play area at Airedale

Many more toddlers can now play outside safely whilst receiving treatment at the Child Development Centre at Airedale Hospital thanks to the success of a fundraising campaign inspired by a very special young patient.

Paddy Stell, aged four, who has Down’s syndrome, was a regular visitor to the Child Development Centre and his family decided to help others who use it by replacing a condemned slide and climbing frame in its playground.

Staff who work at the centre had an opening ceremony in the playground today (Friday 10 June) to thank Paddy’s mum, Becci Gunning, of Thwaites Brow Road, Keighley for donating £2,000 from various events held by local pubs and football teams.

During his visits to the centre, Paddy has received care and coaching in speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

Bridget Thompson, principal paediatric physiotherapist at the centre at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are really grateful to Paddy’s family and the local community for their generous effort which will make such a difference to the lives of so many of the children who visit us.  We are also delighted with donations we received from a local charity and Friends of Airedale.

“It would have been very difficult for us in the current financial climate to replace the play equipment once it became rotten– and yet these extras really do matter to children as it helps make their visits more enjoyable.  We needed very specialist equipment to cater for the therapeutic needs of the children.”