Well this is rather lovely! 🌻🌿🩷 This week we dodged the downpours to officially open the new and vastly improved outdoor play area at the Horton General Children’s Ward, in Banbury. Hospital staff and young patients joined us to mark this special moment and explore the beautiful new space. The play area is now fully accessible, so even children who cannot leave their hospital beds are able to get outside and enjoy it. It is bright, spacious, with loads of new activities, a super bouncy and level floor and lots of lovely planting and seating. We are very grateful to local company Glazpart Ltd for their kind donation to make this all possible. Their MD, Ken Hanley, cut the ribbon as we celebrated the opening. Horton Ward Sister, Pippa Parnell, told us: “It’s beautiful, I absolutely love it! There is so much to look at, with the lovely planting, a brilliant new climbing frame and a basketball area. “I also love the bright and bouncy flooring, which is very level so all patients can enjoy the space. We are thrilled with it.” Thank you also to landscaping company, Hadingham Kirk for all their hard work. You can read the full story via the link in the comments. We hope you agree, it looks rather wonderful, doesn't it! 🛝🌻🌱 (fb)

What a wonderful night we had at the BBC Northamptonshire, Make a Difference Awards last night. The event highlights the amazing work of volunteers and fundraisers across the county. We were especially proud to see Josh Dixon, from Northampton and a patient at the John Radcliffe Hospital, who supported our charity, recognised as one of the night’s finalists. Despite undergoing open heart surgery five times, Josh took on running challenges to raise vital funds for the Oxford Heart Centre — he is a true example of what these awards represent. Congratulations Josh. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (fb)