James designs hospital winner

12:51pm Saturday 9th August 2008

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A TALENTED youngster hopes this cheerful picture will help put a smile on the faces of children being treated at York Hospital.

James Patrick has beaten stiff competition from dozens of other children to be chosen as the winner of The Press’s Guardian Angels plaque competition.

His design will be used on the plaque to mark the official opening of the hospital’s new state-of-the-art high-dependency unit for children.

The 12-year-old knows what it is like to be sick in hospital after having a cancer scare when he was four.

His mum Jo, who works as an interior designer, said: “His chin blew up and they thought it might be cancerous. He had to go into hospital to be operated on, but fortunately he was fine.

“He also went into hospital when he was about 18 months with suspected meningitis.

“They put him on a drip and he stayed in overnight. Thankfully he got better, but it was a scary experience for us and I feel for any parent who has a sick child.

“I’ve got nothing but praise for all the staff on the children’s ward and it’s great that the new unit is nearly up and running.”

James, from Wheldrake, who is a pupil at Fulford School, said: “When I was doing the picture I was trying to think of things that small children like so that if they are ill it would cheer them up.

“I’m really happy that I’ve won – I never expected it and I’m excited that my picture will be on the plaque that people can see in the hospital.”

The entries were judged by Mike Proctor, York Hospital’s deputy chief executive; Jill Crampton, matron of the children’s ward, and Lisa Cook, The Press’s award-winning design editor.

Mr Proctor said: “The competition was an excellent way of involving children in a project that will benefit young people in York for years to come.

“There were some really strong entries and it was great to see the amount of effort the children had put into their designs.

“However, we felt that James was a clear winner. I look forward to seeing the finished plaque when the unit is opened later this year.”

The appeal is still £20,000 short of the £300,000 we need to complete the project.

We are appealing to all our readers to help us with one final push to reach the target by October 11, when the new unit will be officially opened.

If you want to make a donation, send cheques or postal orders made out to The Press Guardian Angels appeal, to Guardian Angels, The Press, 76/86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN.