The family of a little girl who died at just six months have made a kind donation to a Lancaster hospital children's ward.
Greg Johnston delivered a new portable library to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary on behalf of the Team Evie charity, named after Greg's daughter Evie who passed away due to congenital heart, lungs and digestion conditions.
Greg, Chief Executive of Team Evie, visited the two hospitals along with Evie’s sisters Imani, six, and Anais, four, and her grandparents Stephen and Hazel to deliver the portable libraries.
He said: “Evie was in intensive care for most of her life, and we read to her constantly when she was in hospital.
“Reading to children can reduce stress and help them to relax, which can help them to recover.
“Hospitals can also be a strange environment for siblings of poorly children, and reading can help them to feel more at ease.
“We hope these new portable libraries will come in useful for children, parents and staff on the wards.”
Funds for the books and trolleys were raised through school reading challenges organised by Team Evie. Around 20 libraries have been created so far, and each book is marked with a sticker showing which school raised the funds to buy it.
Evie is pictured below. Images from the Team Evie website.
The Cockermouth-based charity funds medical equipment and provide training to save children’s lives, works to make time in hospital easier for sick children and reduce anxiety for families, and supports bereaved parents in their time of need.
The portable libraries were donated to Royal Lancaster Infirmary and the Special Care Baby Unit at Furness General Hospital via Bay Hospitals Charity, which funds the latest equipment for University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) to help make patients more comfortable and ensure they get the best possible care and treatment.
“We would like to say a huge thank you to Team Evie for this generous donation to our wards," said Bridget Lees, Executive Chief Nurse at the trust.
“This new collection of books will be appreciated by children of all ages along with their parents and siblings, and is a lovely way of honouring Evie’s memory.”
Lines reopen after train derailment on Scotland-London line
Police arrest two and seize illegal bike in Morecambe
ITV commissions sixth series of Morecambe crime drama The Bay
E-bike shop moves from Lancaster to new Carnforth showroom
Lancaster workshop to tackle the issue of drink and needle spiking
Morecambe raw feeds shop up for three 'Animal Star' awards
Two new festivals proposed for Morecambe entertainment venue the Platform
Second day of disruption as work continues after train derails in Cumbria
Morecambe lifeboat crew’s swift response rescues swimmer ‘being swept dangerously out to sea’
'Street Meets' announced to answer your questions amid new wheelie bin roll-out
Campaign group welcomes new "life changing" bus service to Morecambe
Lancaster prison worker jailed for drug offences
Major disruption as train derails on West Coast Main Line
Talks begin for events to mark Eric Morecambe's 100th birthday
Lancaster music venue due to shut will now stay open "well into 2026"
Halloween What's On Guide
LISTEN: Launch of new group in Morecambe to help with gambling addiction
LISTEN: New centre for people with disabilities to open in historic Lancaster location
Mayor of Lancaster launches children's Christmas card competition
Councillor loses her seat for not attending meetings for six months
