FOR the second year running, a Taunton mum has donated hundreds of brand-new toys to Musgrove Park Hospital’s children’s ward.
Sarah Kana-ah has collected over 600 brand-new toys for this year’s Christmas donation with the help of Natasha Jayne.
Sarah became Ms Atlantic United Kingdom earlier this year after winning a national beauty competition, and Natasha holds the Mrs Somerset Atlantic title.
Last Christmas, Sarah collected and donated almost 1,000 toys to Musgrove Park Hospital, and she has raised money for several other charities since winning her title.
This year, they started collected the toys in November and dropped them off at the hospital on Thursday, December 23.
In 2011, Sarah spent time at Musgrove Park Hospital when her son required care after he was born prematurely.
That experience and the excellent care they received from hospital staff has encouraged her to donate toys to help families who spend time in hospital at Christmas.
Sarah told the County Gazette: "After the success of last year's toy collection, I decided to do the Christmas toy collection again this year for the children’s ward at Musgrove Park Hospital and for underprivileged families across Somerset.
"My son Ethan was premature, so he needed to stay on the special care ward until he was well enough to go home.
"The nurses and staff looked after us very well and made sure our son was safe at all times.
"If we were in hospital over the festive period, we would’ve loved something like this because when your child is in hospital your mind as a parent is focused on your child and their health rather than shopping and Christmas.
"So, this project will not only bring some smiles to the children but also help ease the pressure for the parents and families and also the hospital staff too."
Sarah says she and Natasha are “so grateful” for the support their campaign received from schools, shops, and individuals to help bring joy to children and families at Christmas.
One school, Cambian Somerset School in Creech St Michael, held a non-uniform day and used the proceeds to buy toys to support their cause.
She said: “I have received over 600 brand-new toys which have been donated by the local community and local schools.
“I feel so grateful for all the support and just want to thank everyone.”
Caroline Jackson, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust’s children’s unit ward manager, said: "It’s tough to be in hospital at any time, but particularly so at Christmas.
"We are so grateful for the kind donations we’ve had from local people and organisations as we know it really makes a difference to the children we are caring for, both in hospital and those attending outpatient appointments."
As a Miss Atlantic UK title holder, single mother, and domestic abuse survivor, Sarah aims to help empower more women and prove they can succeed and become role models to others.
“My life mission is to help abuse victims and make them realise their worth and strength in order for them to fulfil their dreams and goals too,” she said.
“I suffer from anxiety due to my past trauma, but this makes me even more eager to prove to others that living with a mental health condition shouldn’t hold you back.
“I want to be a symbol of strength to other survivors.”
Since becoming Ms Atlantic UK, Sarah has raised £1,000 for MIND and the Meningitis Research Foundation by jumping out of a plane from 15,000 feet; collected and sent hundreds of football kits to children living in poverty in Kenya, and organised self-defence workshops for female survivors of abuse.
She also runs two non-profit organisations: EMPOWER, which teaches women basic self-defence techniques, and Somerset Anxiety Support, an online support group for people who suffer from mental health problems.
Next year, she plans to travel to Kenya to work with children and families living in poverty if the Covid-19 situation allows her to.
Read more: Sarah Kana-ah wins Miss Atlantic UK title at beauty pageant
Read more: Children's ward at Somerset hospital receives nearly 1,000 toys from community
Read more: New anxiety support group aims to stop people 'suffering quietly on their own'
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel