It's animal magic as petting farm visit lights up day for children and staff
A little donkey was among a host of animals making a special Christmas visit to Morriston Hospital this week.
The donkey was joined by a real menagerie of four-legged visitors, with an alpaca, two goats, and a trio of rabbits among other creatures great and small making the short trip from Gower-based Will’s Petting Farm, bringing a big yuletide smile to the faces of staff and patients alike.
The free-of-charge visit was organised by Children’s Services Play Team Manager Lisa Morgan, who had been looking for something different this year to help with pre-Christmas celebrations.
And after getting a big thumbs up from those who met the furry friends outside the hospital’s Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery, Lisa is now hoping the event can be repeated next year.
She said: “We wanted to do something totally different for the children this year, so it was very kind and generous of Will’s Petting Farm to donate us an animal visit.
“It was such a lovely experience for the children and everyone who came along.
“To see the smiles on the children's faces who were well enough to be off the ward was just priceless. It was great they got to see and interact with animals that they would not see on a daily basis.
“There were so many staff and visitors outside and they all enjoyed the experience, too. We would like to thank Will and he has already said he will come back and visit us again, which is wonderful.”
Lisa’s gratitude was echoed by Swansea Bay Health Charity, which manages the donation of ‘gifts in kind’ to the health board, such as the petting farm visit.
“We would just like to thank Will for bringing his furry friends to Morriston Hospital for the children and staff to enjoy,” said Swansea Bay Health Charity corporate officer Lewis Bradley.
“His passion to put a smile on individual’s faces was easy to recognise and something that as a charity, we really appreciate.
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