Mark Benevolent Fund donates £19K to help Rays of Sunshine bring sensory play to children in hospitals

Rays of Sunshine is thrilled to announce the Mark Benevolent Fund has donated more than £19,000 to help us bring joy to young patients receiving treatment in hospital through our sensory bags initiative 

Our Sunshine in Hospital sensory bags are designed to provide comfort, joy, and crucial distraction for seriously and terminally ill children during their hospital stays.  

Each bag is filled with sensory resources, categorised into sight, touch and sound-specific bags to soothe anxiety and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation in the often-overwhelming hospital environments. 

The funding will ensure the continuation and expansion of this vital resource, helping to deliver hundreds of Sensory Bags to paediatric wards, hospices, and community settings across the UK. 

The official presentation of the generous donation took place at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, one of the many hospitals across the UK that regularly benefits from Rays of Sunshine’s Sunshine in Hospitals activities. 

Amy Chambers, CEO at Rays of Sunshine, says: “We are so grateful for the generosity of the Mark Benevolent Fund and the dedicated members of Mark Masons’ Hall.  

“This incredible donation of more than £19,000 will be instrumental in sustaining and growing our essential Sensory Bag initiative.  

“These bags are so much more than toys; they are carefully designed tools that bring immediate comfort, reduce distress, and offer a much-needed positive distraction for seriously ill children enduring long or difficult treatments.  

“The support from the Mark Masons’ Hall community ensures we can continue to bring these moments of calm and happiness to young patients when they need it most.” 

The Mark Benevolent Fund says: “At the Mark Benevolent Fund, we believe in brightening lives when it matters most.  

“We are honoured to support Rays of Sunshine in bringing comfort, joy, and a sense of calm to children facing challenging hospital journeys.  

“Every Sensory Bag delivered is a reminder that kindness can make even the toughest days a little lighter.  

“We are proud to stand alongside this incredible charity and wish them every success as they continue their vital work bringing hope and happiness to young patients across the UK”. 

To learn more about our Sunshine in Hospitals programme, please visit: