New Merlin's Magic Wand Project

With the help of young patients and their families, Merlin's Magic Wand has officially launched two new magical spaces at Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick.

An 18-month labour of love, the two new spaces, a playroom and treatment room, were donated by children's charity Merlin's Magic Wand, to help give young patients and their families a break from the daily routine of doctors appointments and medical procedures.

For the first time, Merlin's Magic Wand - a charity that provides magical experiences for seriously ill, disabled or disadvantaged children - provided the two spaces to the Hospital as part of the charity's 'Merlin's Magic Spaces' arm.

Now complete, the playroom which features key elements and theming from Merlin Entertainments plc attractions including SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, Madame Tussauds Sydney and Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary, boasts interactive TV screens, colourful crawl spaces and colouring-in stations to foster creativity and free-play.

The treatment room, which features 3-Dimensional theming from the Sydney Tower Eye and vivid purple skylines helps provide a much-needed distraction from treatment, lettings the minds and imaginations of young patients wander while they are in the room.

Merlin's Magic Wand spokesperson, Ashley Hayes, said the final result of the 18-month long project highlights not only the work the charity does within the community, but also the profound impact Merlin's Magic Wand initiatives has on the lives of seriously ill children and their families.

"At the core of why Merlin's Magic Wand exists is helping to create magical and positive memories in the lives of seriously ill, disabled or disadvantaged children. Projects like these are an amazing example of the work we do not only in Australia but across the globe," said Ms Hayes.

"We're absolutely honoured to be able to donate these two rooms to the Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick and there's nothing more heart-warming than seeing a child's face light up when they get to play, experience and explore the new rooms," finished Ms Hayes.

Sydney mum Pauline Lever, whose son Connor uses the services at the Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick said the new playroom and treatment room will have nothing but a positive impact on young patients and their families.

"There's no word to describe what these two new rooms mean. They really are such magical spaces for kids to be kids in again," said Ms Lever.

Janet Burke, Manager of the Child Life and Music Therapy Department at Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick said the benefits of the new spaces goes beyond the paint of the walls.

"What makes children's hospitals so unique is that finding ways to engage a child and making the experience as safe, fun and non- threatening as possible is just as important as the medical treatment provided. By ensuring children have access to positive spaces, it helps in the development of resilience, and gives them a space to just be a kid away from the clinical environment," said Ms Burke.

Funded through monetary donations and generous support from suppliers, Merlin's Magic Spaces are found in Hospitals and health facilitaties across the globe and help bring the magic to children and their families who are too sick to visit a Merlin attraction. Merlin's Magic Wand also provides magical days out for families and eligible community groups to Merlin attractions, such as WILD LIFE and SEA LIFE centres, Madame Tussauds locations and the Eye brands including the Sydney Tower Eye.

For more information about Merlin's Magic Wand and the work it does in helping bring the magic back into the lives of seriously ill, disabled and disadvantaged children, please visit: https://www.merlinsmagicwand.org/