The Healing Power of Play

We asked Daniel, Auckland New Zealand volunteer to share why volunteering is important to him. Daniel is one of our incredible volunteers who visits children in hospital one night a week to bring smiles to children when they need it the most. At the end of each night, he knows it’s not just the children who receive the smiles always with one on his own face as well.

“Helping people makes me feel good,” says Daniel. “I’m definitely a much happier person because of Radio Lollipop. The simplicity of play impacts the child, their family and even us as volunteers.”

Daniel shares his wow moment: One evening we were volunteering in the Starship Atrium when a timid boy, who’d only recently started suffering from seizures, and his dad came over. We spent time playing with the boy, got him on the radio and helped him out of his shell – it was very rewarding. Whilst watching his son on the radio his dad got chatting to me, stating that he hadn’t seen his son this happy since the seizures started happening. That was my WOW moment for that evening. One year later I was at an event where the same boy and his dad starred in a Radio Lollipop promotional video, the transformation and words of gratitude were overwhelming. It made me really happy to know that I’d had a positive effect on the boy and his dad.

Radio Lollipop New Zealand is currently looking for volunteers in the Central, West and South Auckland area. We currently operate at Starship Children’s Hospital, Rangatira Ward Waitakere Hospital or Kidz First Middlemore Hospital. You will be required to attend an Information Evening to hear more about our service, so you can make the decision if you would like to apply for a position on our team.

Each volunteer visits one evening a week, taking arts, crafts, games to children in hospital and helping to create the kind of environment our kids need to heal and recover. 

Our volunteers come from all walks of life, there is no need for medical or radio experience – you just need to bring your own unique sense of child-led fun! 

If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, follow this link here to sign up! 

Radio Lollipop Edinburgh is 30!

This year marks Radio Lollipop’s 30th anniversary in Edinburgh!

To celebrate this momentous occasion we are holding numerous fundraising events throughout the year, including our 12th Annual Ball.

Introducing the Radio Lollipop Funraisers.

Funraiser #1: Swish Event

Sunday 24th March

2-5pm at the Grosvenor Hotel.

Tickets £10

At our Posh Clothes Swap, Ladies (or Gents) bring three never worn/tags still on, or barely worn clothes, shoes and accessories and swap what they don’t wear for something they will wear.

Style Me Flawless will be in attendance to give style tips and advice on the right shapes and colours for you.

 

SIGN UP FOR THIS EVENT HERE – https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rledinburghswish

Funraiser #2: 5K Moveathon

Saturday 1st June

Cramond – Starting orders at 4pm

Registration £5 per person

We are returning to Cramond to run/walk/skip/cycle 5k to raise awareness of Radio Lollipop in Edinburgh.

Join us in celebrating our actual 30th birthday!!!

Funraiser #3: 2019 Ball

Friday 4th October

We return for our 12th ball, and with us celebrating our 30th year in Edinburgh and Radio Lollipop’s 40th year as a charity, it should be a night to remember.

Get your glad rags on and join us for all the birthday celebrations. More information to follow on ticket availability and on-sale date.

Funraiser #4: Halloween Music Marathon

Saturday 26th October

Hours of bewitching fun, spooks, ghouls and party games.All are welcome to come and dance the day away with us to raise awareness and funds for Radio Lollipop. More information to follow on ticket availability and on-sale date.

If you are raising funds for Radio Lollipop Edinburgh let us know what you are up to. Share your story: @radiolollipop #LolliFUNraiser30

Radio Lollipop Edinburgh 5k Moveathon!

Radio Lollipop Edinburgh is hosting a Moveathon on Saturday 17th June at 5pm and would love for everyone to come along for a fantastic night!

Hosted at Cramond Beach, the 5k route is flat and manageable whether you want to run, cycle, bounce, scooter, skip or crawl we won’t mind!

Signing up is easy, all you have to do is register your interest on our Virgin Money Giving page – donating £5 for adults and £3 for under 18s as your registration fee. http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RadioLollipopMoveathon

Open to volunteers, friends, family, supporters of Radio Lollipop or exercise enthusiasts – we hope to see you there!

Please arrive at the start line at 4.45pm for a 5pm start.

Public and free parking is available behind the Crammond Inn Pub and there will be mascots at the car park directing you to the start line.

Wonderful and unexpected News for Manchester!

The Manchester Station has just received £1000 from the DM Thomas Foundation for Young People following fundraising for the Foundation by their team members at Hilton’s head office in Watford.  This has allowed a number of payments to be made, one of which has come to us.
We will be using this to boost our combined play and radio activities on the wards undertaken by the team of Radio Lollipop volunteers who visit the wards of the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital- the largest in the UK.
These activities provide care, comfort, play and entertainment during what, for many, is a traumatic time.