Special anatomically correct dolls for learning through play
12 September 2018
Sitting together in a quiet room on Arctic Floor, play specialist
Cathy Gill and 11-year-old Lucy are playing with a happy-looking stuffed
doll.
This, however, is Charlie Doll. He’s not just your everyday doll in the slightest.
‘Where are your original kidneys?’ Cathy asks Lucy. Lucy points and unzips a special pouch in Charlie Doll’s back. She’s right, his kidneys are clearly there, along with many of his other organs.
‘And now would you like to show me where you and all transplanting children have their new kidney?’ suggests Cathy.
Lucy immediately turns Charlie Doll over and points to his front. Lucy knows that a transplanted kidney is implanted in the lower abdomen, on the front side of the body.
Learning through play
Lucy has a renal condition which meant she had to have a kidney transplant in August 2013. She has spent extended periods of her young life at Evelina London, receiving all manner of treatment and procedures.
Specialist toys like Charlie Doll, which are bought thanks to donations, are instrumental in helping children like Lucy through their experience.
Charlie and his female equivalent Katie are anatomically correct dolls which can be used for many purposes. All of their organs are in the exact spot they’d be in a child, and can be seen within little pouches and special sections of the dolls.
Cathy, who looks after children with kidney disease and urology problems, mostly introduces one of the dolls to a child if they need to learn how to insert a catheter.
Alleviating anxieties
The dolls can be used for many different things, though, such as showing what x-rays are for, or demonstrating how a blood test works. The latter is especially useful for needle therapy, a technique that the play specialists encourage for children who suffer from needle phobia.
‘We know that this kind of play can alleviate their phobia,’ explains Cathy. ‘It’s like anything - if you face that fear, if you play with something that you’re scared of - which we do literally, we play with the real needles but using dolls in a safe environment – then it becomes more normalised and less scary.’
The children can learn the full procedures, from inserting a cannula for a blood test into the back of the doll’s hand to even taking the blood, which they can watch (in the form of blackcurrant squash to represent real blood) being drawn out through the plastic tube.
Helping parents cope
Equipment like these dolls isn't used solely to help the children, but they’re often key to helping parents cope as well.
‘The doctors talk to the parents and explain a new procedure for their child such as catheterising; they might draw a diagram to help but that’s all they’re doing,’ says Cathy. ‘The parents come with their child to see me because that’s all part of the pathway, and in that play session they’re able to see what’s going on, ask lots of questions, and know exactly how the procedure will take place. Also, once they see their child playing with the catheters in an okay way, they’re not absolutely terrified.’
How donations provide extras
The special dolls are used every day to help hundreds of children a year cope with their experience in hospital more easily. They are items which the play specialists consider essential but which, unfortunately, they would never be able to buy without the help of donations.
Cathy says that she and her play specialist colleagues ‘rely heavily’ on people’s kind generosity.
‘I wouldn’t be able to do my job without extras like these dolls because otherwise I’d just be drawing a diagram on a piece of paper as well. We wouldn’t manage without our donors, we really wouldn’t. Without our donors, life in hospital wouldn’t be the same for these children.’
Please note, unfortunately, we are unable to take any telephone calls or process any donations by telephone for the immediate and foreseeable future. You can still donate by credit/debit card and/or make a regular gift by Direct Debit. You can also send a cheque too. Thank you very much for your support. We hugely appreciate it.
Go Online through our donation page, make a one-off payment or set up a monthly direct debit.
For a Bank Transfer, please contact our Supporter Care team via email info@supportevelina.org.uk
and we can provide the relevant details.
If you would like to send a donation by cheque, please make this payable to Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital Charity, with 'Evelina London' written on the reverse.
If you can include a covering letter with your contact details as well as reasons for donations and what you would like it to be put towards, we will write to you and let you know when the donation has been received.
Please send the cheque to this address:
Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Fundraising Team Fundraising Team Virginia Woolf Building 22 Kingsway, 2nd Floor London
Can you claim Gift Aid on my donation?
Your donations are only eligible for Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer and we have a record of your postcode and donation amount. You must also tick the Gift Aid box on our sponsorship forms (Virgin Money Giving / Just Giving) or donation page.
Please note that we are unable to claim Gift Aid on ticket sales, raffle sales, corporate sponsorship, and sale of goods or auction proceeds.
Can I donate to a specific ward/department within the hospital?
If you would like to help a specific ward or department, we will do our best to find the most appropriate fund for your donation to go towards.
Please note that once a donation has been allocated to a specific fund, we are unable to change this at a later date.
Please also provide some basic information about the item, including how old the item is and we will then be able to confirm if the hospital is able to accept the item.
Please note that we are unable to accept soft toys and toys that cannot be easily cleaned.
If you would like to discuss this more to find out how we can help, please call our Supporter Care team via info@supportevelina.org.uk.
What is your charity number?
Evelina London is part of Guy’s and St Thomas Hospital so does not have a separate registered charity number.
The charity number for Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity is 1160316.
What happens to my personal details?
All the personal information about our supporters we collect is processed and stored in accordance with GDPR 2018, and all other applicable data protection laws and regulations. This includes, but is not limited to, the Privacy and Electronic Communication Regulations (PECR).
If you need a new tin, collection bucket or security seal sticker, then please let us know by contacting us via email at info@supportevelina.org.uk and we can send a replacement out to you. Please note, we currently have limited stock on some items, and there may be some delays with deliveries.
Do you accept donations of clothing?
Clean, plain clothing for adults and children are accepted, items such as jogging bottoms and sweatshirts are ideal. Used underwear is not accepted.
Thank you to everyone who has offered knitted bonding squares for our Neonatal Unit. We’ll let you know if we need more in future but for now, we have plenty. We’ve had so many offers our cupboards are overflowing!
How can I volunteer?
Fundraising volunteers are vital to our work at Guy's and St Thomas’ Hospital Charity. You can volunteer with us on events, awareness days, in general or even work with the Fundraising Team.
All our opportunities support our fundraising work and activities, we do not organise volunteering within the hospital. If this is what you are interested in please visit the Guy’s and St Thomas' volunteering page.
Policy for returning donations
We work hard to ensure you have the best supporter journey when you make a donation. Unfortunately, under charity law (The Charities Act 2011) we are unable to refund donations, other than in specific circumstances.
If you believe that a donation you have made should be refunded then please contact via email at info@supportevelina.org.uk and we can advise on what we can do.
If you are a company or individual who would like to make a product donation, please email our fundraising team at info@supportevelina.org.uk detailing the type of donation, quantity and estimated delivery date and we will get back to you as soon as possible to confirm if we are able to accept the donation.
All items must be new and in their packaging and please note that we are unfortunately unable to accept any hot food and drink or any perishable food items.
Well done Tony, you are a truely amazing little soul!
Tony! What an inspiration you are, so young, so brave and doing incredible things. Keep going and well done for absolutely smashing your target; it is going to an amazing cause and we love watching your journey. You can do it! X x
Dear Tony, what a beautiful, special, precious little boy you are. You are very brave and strong. You are an inspiration to us all. I hope your legs feel good and help you take on your challenge. You can do it!!👍🥰 I've donated because you made me so proud. Lots of love always Jude xxx
You are such an amazing superhero! Keep up the wonderful things you are doing!😀👍🚑🏃
Well done Tony on your 10km walk. We followed your progress. You are a brave little boy. We wish you well! Love xx
You are amazing and an inspiration to everyone - there's nothing you can't do or achieve in this life! Thank you so much
Caroline and Sarah, at The Cardiology Kids launch party in the park
George with his family
Thank you for everything you are doing. So proud of our NHS - heroes don’t all wear capes! Thank you for everything you do for us all and keep as safe as you can all of you. xx
You are all heroes and should be proud of yourselves as we are of you. No words of thanks can ever express the debt of gratitude.
You have looked after my daughter with such care, too which I am eternally grateful. Thank you.
I had my cancer treatment there, undoubtedly saved my life. Thank you.
I was born at Guy's hospital in 1974, and was treated in St Thomas' in 2003, where I was seriously ill for 13 weeks. Thank you for not only giving me life, but saving it too! X
Guy's and St Thomas' have looked after me so well over many years. Thank you for all those years and for everything you are doing in an unimaginably difficult time. Thinking of you and your families at this time. x
You saved my life when I had cancer. Thank you for then and thank you for now. x
The NHS saved my wife’s life 3 times. We love the nurses, doctors, specialists, secretaries - everyone. You are heroes. Sending hope and love.
You are all amazing and will be remembered in history. Stay strong.
Thank you isn’t enough, so a thousand times more.
You are all amazing and do an incredible job. Filled with gratitude and heartfelt thanks.
You are all phenomenal. Thank you so much.
Wishing you well during this crisis. You are all heroes and deserve the support of the whole nation.
From one nurse to all the others all over the world fighting Covid-19 and all the health professionals, I know this word and term is overused but this time it is a real meaning in the truest form of the word: You are all LEGENDS!
How can we ever repay you for what you are doing for us? Thinking of you all. The NHS means everything. Make sure you're looking after your own wellbeing as much as possible. Take care x
You are all genuine heroes. Each and every one of you!
You are all wonderful, heroic people. You save lives every day and you really, really make a difference. We salute you and send big hugs to keep you going. xx