A CHILDREN'S ward in Whiston Hospital has been nominated for support from Tesco Bags of Help.

Throughout August, customers doing their shopping at certain Tesco stores will be able to vote for the Magical Power of Play Appeal with their blue token.

Funds raised by the appeal will be donated to Whiston Hospital to help purchase much needed play equipment for the children they care for.

Due to a lack of funds, British hospitals often run out of resources like toys, games and activities that allow children to play and be educated throughout their battle with illness or injury.

A recent survey conducted by Action for Sick Children revealed that 94 per cent of Health Play Specialists spend their own money to provide even essentials required to carry out their activities.

It is for this reason that Action for Sick Children started the Magical Power of Play Appeal that provides resource boxes, usually valued at around £2,000 each, containing a broad variety of games, toys, and activities for the children in hospitals.

Caroline Wright, play specialist at Whiston Hospital said: “We are so excited for our children’s wards and feel really fortunate to be nominated.”

Valerie Jackson, chief executive at Action for Sick Children, added: “It’s a lovely part of my role to be able to tell people we have money for them.

"The Magical Power of Play Appeal is a project we take great pride in as a charity and we are always thrilled to be able to help Play Specialists in their mission to bring play to children in hospital.”

Bags of Help is Tesco's grant programme and is designed to support local projects thanks to the sale of carrier bags. Customers will be given a token when they buy their shopping and will be able to vote for the project they prefer.

As a result, the project with the highest number of votes will receive up to £4,000, the second placed project up to £2,000 and the third placed project £1,000.