The Sickle Cell Society Ireland (SCSI) has donated €1,000 to St Michael’s Ward in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin. south Dublin.

The group told Metro Éireann that the donation was aimed at recognising the efforts being made by St Michael’s Ward in caring for children with sickle cell as well as in recognition of the support the ward gives to patients and their families.

SCSI founder and president Esther Onolememen said the idea for the donation was inspired by the experiences of families with sickle cell who require regular hospitalisation, sometimes at the last minute with no time to prepare for a lengthy stay.

“It was agreed that the funds will go into helping patients with night packs and other immediate needs that may arise,” she said. “It was also agreed that funds will go into also supporting parents’ facilities in parents’ lounge.”

The funding will provide for such items as toothbrushes and night clothes for children and their parents, who may not otherwise have a good social support network to fall back on.

Onolememen said the group previously donated goodie bags and Easter bunnies to children in admission over the spring holiday in 2013 as part of its ‘Easter Treat for Sick Children in Hospital’ initiative.