Smyths Toys Announces Partnership with Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity

Smyths Toys, one of the UK’s largest toy companies, has partnered with children’s charity Rays of Sunshine to help them continue to brighten the lives of seriously ill children by granting wishes, fulfilling hospital ward wishes, organising outings and events and providing entertainment for children during their time in hospital.

Smyths Toys, which has 134 stores across the UK & Ireland, provides the largest range of the latest and greatest toys, baby, outdoor and gaming products making it the perfect partner for Rays of Sunshine.

As part of its expanding hospital services programme, Rays of Sunshine has delivered over 127 sets of sensory bags to 53 hospitals, hospices, and community settings across the UK since 2019. The partnership with Smyths will enable the charity to further enhance these services by providing children with an additional specialised box of fidget toys. These toys are specially designed to help reduce anxiety and provide a valuable distraction for hundreds of children receiving treatment.

Smyths have also donated an additional £50,000 to help fund a calendar of hospital ward wish initiatives which will improve and enhance hospital environments and provide much needed play resources on paediatric wards across the UK.

The magic and fun that this partnership is sure to bring will harness the power of play to enhance Rays of Sunshine’s existing hospital and wish services, as well as enabling the charity to reach more seriously ill children than ever before.

Nina Bradburn, Executive Director at Rays of Sunshine, commented on the partnership:

‘We are absolutely thrilled to be working with Smyths Toys and we can’t wait to see the positive impact it will have on our beneficiaries and families. We are incredibly grateful for the support and look forward to building the relationship in order to continue brightening lives of seriously ill children and their families across the UK.’

Sinead Byrne, Joint Head of Marketing at Smyths Toys, added:

‘We are proud to be partnering with Rays of Sunshine this year as our charity partner. We are looking forward to working with Rays of Sunshine and supporting them in providing much needed hospital services for seriously ill children from across the UK.’

Rays of Sunshine children’s charity was formed in 2003 to brighten the lives of seriously ill young people and their families across the UK by granting wishes and providing ongoing support in hospital and within the community. For more information, please visit: www.raysofsunshine.org.uk

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NOTES TO EDITORS:

About Rays of Sunshine:

• Rays of Sunshine children’s charity was formed in 2003 to brighten the lives of seriously ill young people and their families across the UK by granting wishes and providing ongoing support in hospital and within the community. raysofsunshine.org.uk

• The charity’s work creates a positive distraction, reduces isolation, improves self-esteem and creates precious memories and smiles. Every day of the year, Rays of Sunshine gives brave and deserving young people the chance to put their illness on hold and enjoy a moment of escape.

Over 7,000 wishes have been granted since the charity was formed and their work has touched the lives of more than 80,000 children and young people, not to mention their siblings and parents. Rays of Sunshine was proud to have been awarded The Queens Award for Voluntary

For more information, please contact:

For more information, images to visit or to interview a spokesperson from Rays of Sunshine, please contact:

Anastasia Psarra                                                                        Ceri-Jane Hackling

Cerub PR                                                                                       Cerub PR

01494 461844                                                                          01494 464784

anastasia@cerubpr.co.uk                                                      ceri@cerubpr.co.uk

About Smyths Toys Superstores:

Smyths Toys Superstores has 134 store locations throughout the UK and Ireland. The leading toy retailer carries all the top brands and prides themselves on offering the most competitive prices on the best possible selection of products including toys, baby, outdoor and software games.

Link to Smyths Toys Superstores website- https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb

Twitter – https://twitter.com/SmythsToysUK?lang=en

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/smythstoys/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/smythstoys/?hl=en

Link to UK store locations: https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/store-finder

For more information please contact:

Lisa Casey, Marketing Executive at Smyths Toys

Tel: 00353 91 743 602

Email: lcasey@smythstoys.com