News / Easter
Easter bunnies on motorbikes deliver toys to children’s hospital
Toys and Easter eggs were delivered to Bristol Children’s Hospital on Saturday by a group of motorcyclists.
Behind the debut Easter Ride Out are non-profit Raeyah’s Hands of Support and Ride2Raise Collective, who are hoping the event will raise awareness of childhood cancer and autism.
The ride began at West Country Choppers in Ashley Down before proceeding to Museum Square and then the Children’s Hospital where the toys and eggs were distributed.
Hundreds of bikers across the country dress up as Santa for a ride-out during the Christmas season and this inspired Kevin Rice, co-founder of Raeyah’s Hands of Support, to create something different and dress as bunnies doing “Bunny’s on Bikes” Easter ride out.
The charity is in regular contact with the hospital which sends them regular toy referrals with a brief description of the child and what they like.
The toys were been picked to cater specifically to sensory needs of the children in the hospital as Kevin and the rest of the team identified so many of the kids with autism in the cancer wards were overstimulated and needed toys such as fidget spinners or sensory light tables to engage and calm them.
Easter Saturday was the inaugural event delivering toys and Easter eggs by motorbikes – photo: Rob Browne
Play is a significant part of cancer treatment. As Kevin says: “A happier child is a healthier child.”
But it is an aspect of care that is often overlooked, particularly those with extra needs. The nurses are trained to support and understand the children in the ward, but only recently has autism been factored into that training.
Sensory toys have the ability to help reduce anxiety; promote relaxation; and help physical, social and emotional development in children.
“They allow children to be creative, develop language and promote cognitive development, all of which can be affected by chemotherapy treatment,” says Kevin.
Children’s Hospital staff gratefully received the gifts on behalf of the young patients – photo: Rob Browne
Raeyah’s Hands Of Support was created by Kevin and his partner Becky Evans in memory of their daughter Raeyah Evans Rice who died in 2023 aged just four.
After receiving care at Bristol Children’s Hospital, Raeyah succumbed to stage 4 Wilms’ tumour, the most common paediatric renal cancer affecting around 100 children each year in the UK.
One of Raeyah’s brothers has autism and the relationship between them was unbreakable. However, when she passed away, he struggled to understand and come to terms with the loss.
He had spent time in hospital himself before Raeyah’s diagnosis and the family were aware of the anxiety he felt being away from home.
This is why they made it their mission is to provide sensory care packages for children with autism going through cancer treatment in the hope it helps them manage long days and provides them with some calm in a busy and unpredictable environment.
Main photo: Rob Browne
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