A CHARITY has handed over a gift of specialist sensory toys to three children's wards to put a smile on young patients' faces in Bradford.

Representatives of Bradford-based international aid charity Human Relief Foundation (HRF) visited Bradford Royal Infirmary.

The gifts, bought with proceeds from a Christmas Appeal, were on a wish-list for the new children's services and wards which will open in the hospital's new £28m wing later this year.

Interactive sensory toys, some of which are musical, were trialled on one of the wards two years ago and proved such a hit with patients and children with special needs that the charity stepped in to buy more, said the charity's president Dr Nabeel Al Ramadhani.

He said: “The motivation behind our Children’s Christmas Appeal was simple, to bring joy to children and relieve them from the suffering during their hard time of illness."

Consultant paediatrician Dr Beccy Bardgett said: “We are incredibly grateful to the HRF and its volunteers for the fundraising efforts they have made for our Children’s Charity. Every penny goes towards making hospital stays that little bit more comfortable for our patients and their families.

“Play can provide valuable support to families, as well as siblings, and it can be used by doctors, nurses and other health professionals to observe a child and gain valuable clinical information."