Hamish Dear’s Warm Hugs was launched in May 2016, to keep children smiling through their toughest battles. Here are some of the ways we help to make good days great…
Day Trips
We provide families with vouchers for easy to access day-trip activities/restaurants which they can enjoy without having to worry about their financial situation. We want families on the Schiehallion ward and the medical ward in Aberdeen to have access to these vouchers instantly, so that they can take full advantage of their ‘good days’. Watching our son go through rigorous treatment we wanted to make the most of his time away from the hospital. When Hamish was having a good day on the ward, we were off… with the doctors permission of course. During treatment these days can be rare, so we want children who are having these to go and make this good day great!
Hamish Dear’s Warm Hugs provide a range of gift vouchers for children who can choose both an activity and a meal. These can be accessed on the Schiehallion Day care Unit at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow and the medical ward at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital are subject to availability. Gift vouchers currently include: Cineworld, Science Centre, Dobbies and Braehead including Intu Braehead, Union Square plus many more. There are also a selection of meal vouchers available. If you are on these wards just ask the nurse for a warm hug from Hamish and they will be only too happy to help.
Gifts
Applications can be made to request gifts for children currently receiving treatment at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow. We are aware through our personal experience that when a child is in isolation they cannot have old toys with them due to the risk of possible infection. We understand that getting new toys can be costly, so through Hamish Dear’s Warm Hugs we would like to be able to provide new toys for these occasions.
Short Breaks
As soon as we were able to leave the hospital for an extended period, we would invariably try to make the most of this valuable time. As well as going home we would also go to various hotels and have mini breaks/holidays where we could spend time doing what all families should be able to do. Being away from the hospital surroundings, and the city meant a lot to us, and of course Hamish. Through Hamish Dear’s Warm Hugs we would like to offer financial assistance to families to help fund similar short breaks, so that they can make these times special in their own way.
Application forms should be completed and submitted to CLIC Sargent social work staff.