Dozens of Hobart families have lined Campbell Street in Hobart this morning to watch on as a new cubby house was craned into the Children and Adolescent Ward of the Royal Hobart Hospital.
The cubby house was built as part of a training program by children’s charity Variety Tasmania, providing opportunities for the next generation of tradies.
Variety Tasmania CEO Mohammad Aldergham said it was amazing to see what can happen when the community comes together.
“[It was a] delicate operation, but nowhere near as tough as what some of the children on the ward have been facing.”
“The cubby will be a space where kids can be kids and where they can take their mind off being in hospital,” Aldergham said.
A range of local businesses pitched in to lend their support for the project, including Podmatrix, Clennett’s Mitre 10, Spectran Group, and Cranes Combined Hobart who provided the final touches for today’s smooth installation.
Soil and plants will now be installed to green up the space, with the support of Landscape Solutions Tasmania and Westland Nurseries.
Jess Nunn, Nurse Unit Manager of Paediatric Services at the hospital, said the project is very exciting for the young patients, especially those with long-term conditions.
“There [were] a lot of little faces around all the windows watching the cubby come in,” she said.
“It will be great to have a green outdoor space that’s functional and makes their stay in hospital that little bit nicer.”
The Paediatric Ward at the Royal Hobart Hospital cares for patients from zero to 18 years with various medical and surgical conditions, including oncology patients, complex surgical cases and minor injuries.
