Patients at Livingston’s St John’s Hospital gifted cars

Unwell children being treated at St John's Hospital have received electric ride-on cars to help them get to appointments.

Donna Hall (left), Team Leader at the Utilita Energy Hub in Leith, gifting St John’s Hospital with an electric ride-on car for children to enjoy

Young people staying on the children’s ward will be able to ride in the cars in dedicated breakout areas and use them to get to and from their treatment sessions.

The cars have been donated by electricity and gas supplier Utilita following a similar donation to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, Hampshire late last year delighted young patients.

Senior Charge Nurse at St John’s Hospital Lynn Haddow said the cars are already making “such a difference” to unwell children in Livingston

She said: “We are delighted to have this kind and generous donation from Utilita. It makes such a difference to the children. We used to have a push along car years ago – but this car is amazing.”

Team Leader at the Utilita Energy Hub, Donna Hall said this is a small gesture when compared to the ‘amazing’ work of NHS workers during the pandemic.

She said: “It has been an extremely challenging 12 months for the NHS and we wanted to bring a smile on the faces of children being treated. The donation is merely a small gift from the business in supporting the amazing nurses and doctors for everything they have done. We will continue to help and support any local charities that need it.”

During lockdown the Leith based energy company have also delivered 1200 hot meals to vulnerable people in the city.

Director of Pearl Fit Leigh Rowsell who contributed to the supply of the cars said her company was pleased to be able to give something back to the NHS.

She said: "Pearl Fit Out are very pleased to have contributed alongside Utilita, to the supply of these cars for the various hospitals.

“We wanted to give something back to the NHS and this initiative by Utilita is certainly one that we were only too happy to get behind and support.

“It is a particularly difficult time for everyone, especially in hospitals at the moment, and the opportunity to give something to lift the spirits of children in hospitals across the country, is one that we at Pearl Fit Out are delighted to have be involved in.”

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