No child should be without toys, which is why Newlife’s loans of specialist sensory toys is so important to families across the UK, and is why we have launched a Christmas appeal to ensure children with disabilities receive the toys they need to be able to play all year round.

While Newlife is best known for providing disability equipment to children such as specialist wheelchairs, buggies, beds and car seats so they can make the most of all life’s opportunities, its free Play Therapy Pod loan service makes play accessible for many children who may struggle with standard options for a wide variety of reasons.

One child who has benefitted from the specialist toys is Penelope from North Yorkshire after she was admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital just before Christmas last year while she waited for a new heart to become available for transplant.

The last thing her parents, Jordan and Hollie, needed to worry about was how to keep her occupied during the long days and nights on the ward, but thanks to Newlife it meant they didn’t need to. They made a quick application to Newlife and a box of specialist sensory toys was swiftly delivered to the hospital.

Penelope had been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy at just 16 days old and was initially given medication to keep her stable. But at the end of last year her health began to deteriorate rapidly.

Dad Jordan said: “Her mum, Hollie and I had taken Penelope to Leeds hospital for a routine medication change, but while she was there, she went into cardiac arrest in her mum’s arms. Three times they came out to give us updates and each time I thought they were going to say she had died.

“Doctors were able to save her and put her on ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) to do the job of her heart and lungs, but she really needed a Berlin Heart, a mechanical pump that provides temporary support for children with end-stage heart failure while they wait for transplant, but there was no NHS availability.

The family looked in to funding a hospital place in Germany for the procedure, but finally a place at Great Ormand Street Hospital became available and Penelope was admitted on December 20 last year.

Penelope and her family were based in GOSH for almost a year, during which time her sister, Beatrice was born. Although they kept busy, staff told them about the specialist toy loan service from Newlife, and her family thought it would be the perfect option.

Jordan said: “Being able to have the box of specialist toys on loan from Newlife while we were in hospital was great. It was full of things we hadn’t even thought about, interactive toys that could keep her entertained and help her development as well as distract her when she was having medical procedures.

“The box of toys was easy to apply for online through Newlife’s website and then it was one less thing we needed to worry about. They helped to support her vital sensory stimulation during the long hospital stay as well as helping her cognitive, emotional and physical development. Being able to use toys to play with Penelope also helped to create a sense of normality for us all, which was important because you forget what real life is like.”

After Penelope was able to have her heart transplant earlier this year, the family are looking forward to hopefully enjoying their first Christmas at home as a family of four. And while she has already received the best gift in the shape of her new heart, Jordan and Hollie now also know the type of toys Penelope responds to most, which can be added under their Christmas tree.

Simret Ghuman, Newlife’s Play Lead, said: “Play is how children learn about the world around them, develop new skills and find enjoyment, but children with disabilities may need specialist accessible toys to help this happen.

“Our toys can create the most magical moments between parent and child or between siblings and help families really learn more about what their child’s needs are. Each of the Play Therapy Pod boxes are filled with carefully chosen toys to encourage learning as well as improve relaxation, give enjoyment and help to distract from pain. They are also a great way to discover what a child responds to without having to purchase them and potentially make expensive mistakes.

“We have different categories of toys to choose from, depending on the child’s age, physical and learning abilities, and medical needs and the feedback we have had from parents shows us that our loan service can have a real impact, both for the child and their family.”

Donate here to Newlife’s Christmas campaign so more children can enjoy the gift of play.