North WalesFreemasons

Beautiful sea life images now adorn the walls of a children’s waiting area at Ysbyty Gwynedd, thanks to a recent refurbishment project.

The charity behind the transformation is TLC – or Teddies for Loving Care – run by the Masonic Province of North Wales and Nationally.

The children’s waiting area now features beautiful underwater sea life images, transforming a previously plain area into a colourful and uplifting space.

As well as donating funds towards refurbishment in areas of our hospitals TLC also donates thousands of teddy bears to our three main sites and MIU treatment centres to help alleviate the distress of a child’s visit to hospital.

With the help of local artist Gary Drew the children’s waiting area has now been transformed to create a more child-friendly atmosphere whilst they wait for their operation.

Dafydd Pleming, theatre manager, said: “I would like to thank TLC for their very generous donation provided to pay for the mural painting in the children’s section of the theatre waiting area.

“It has really made such a difference – all of the theatre staff are very impressed with the mural which has really brightened up the space and made it a much more child-friendly and inviting area – it gives the children something to focus on and takes their mind off their impending procedures.

The children and their families’ reactions have all been so positive.”

Dr. Linda Warnock, consultant anaesthetist, added: “Thank you again to TLC for the donation, the mural looks absolutely fantastic.”

The children and their families’ reactions have all been so positive.”

TLC Chairman, David Gibbison, said he was delighted with the mural and pleased it has created a more pleasant experience for the children.

He said: “I’d like to thank the artist Gary Drew for another impressive creation, he has worked with us before on the children’s area in Llandudno MIU and Glan Clwyd Hospital which the staff were delighted with.

I would like to thank the Masonic Province of North Wales, as, without their generosity, projects such as this would just not be possible.

We are pleased they are there to support the charity and allow us to deliver thousands of teddy bears to children across the hospitals in North Wales to help relieve children’s anxiety when they visit hospital.”

Seven-year-old Lili Haf Evans from Gwalchmai has also contributed to the new look theatre area after raising £150 to purchase chairs and tables for the area.

Bryan George PPSGW, TLC Secretary