CHILDREN receiving palliative care have been given a huge boost, thanks to a donation of boxes and boxes of toys by former Llanybydder shopkeepers Tanya and Warren Gordon.

More than £2,000 worth, including wooden toys, beautiful kites, outdoor play stuff, family games, and craft items, have been delivered to 25 youngsters across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire who have life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses.

The toys have made a huge difference to the children and their families, who have been in lockdown and shielding for nearly four months.

Dawn Thomas, Hywel Dda palliative care play specialist, organised the collection and delivery of the toys, with help from play service manager Sandra Jones and driver Alan Wills.

Dawn is in contact with the children weekly, whether through phone calls, video, or with a socially distant visit in the garden.

“There were eight massive boxes full of brand-new, quality toys, hundreds of them,” Dawn said. The room was full. I didn’t know where to walk!

“It was a huge surprise for the children. These toys have given them such a boost in these difficult times.

“The messages and videos I have had back from the children show have been so moving. The little things make a big difference, when the children are missing much of their usual contact because of Covisd-19.

“The Gordons have been so generous and kind.”

The Gordons used to run a shop from home in Llanybydder, but closed it over a year ago, because of work commitments.

They wanted the left-over toys to make a difference

“We wanted to give the toys to charity and reached out to Hywel Dda Health Charities. We couldn’t think of anyone more deserving than these children,” said Tanya.