Firefighters' light up Kidz First

Once again the Birkenhead Volunteer Fire Brigade brought the fun to Kidz First Hospital, delivering their annual jammie donation in style. Their visit lit up more than just the sirens.

The Birkenhead Volunteer Fire Brigade have been supporting Kidz First for several years, and their visits have become a highlight for both children and staff. We’re grateful to the wider Birkenhead community who support the Brigade’s efforts to collect pyjamas and spread warmth to tamariki in hospital.

One patient, who had been completely shut down since being admitted earlier in the week, gave staff his first smile during the visit. He finds hospitals really overwhelming but this visit really brought him so much joy, and it blew hospital staff away who had been desperate to cheer him up.

One young boy, who doesn’t speak English and whose parents couldn’t leave work to be with him during the day, had the best time pretending to fight fires with one of the firefighters. Despite being unwell, he was given a moment to just be a kid having fun and his face just lit up.

Another patient, nil by mouth and waiting for an MRI later that day (something he finds really scary and needs to be sedated for), had recently been admitted with rheumatic fever. The visit gave him something to look forward to and helped pass the time during what’s been a really tough hospital stay.

Another wee patient had fun exploring the fire truck, but the visit meant just as much to his mum. With her own mother in another hospital and her baby in here, it’s been a lot to carry. The chance to chat and laugh with the crew was a real lift for her too. She’d been watching Chicago Fire to get through the long days and loved asking what parts of the show were actually true.

Thank you so much to the amazing volunteers, not only for their incredible bravery and service everyday, but for taking the time to brighten up our patients stays