By Joshua Robinson – 

Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice was delighted to welcome Jason Robinson OBE to formally open their new soft play area, funded by the children’s charity of rugby, Wooden Spoon.

Playing in both rugby league and rugby union, Jason played in three World Cup finals, scoring England’s only try to help secure the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup in Sydney, Australia.

Jason cut the ribbon on the new soft play area at Russell House, saying: “It’s a huge honour to be opening this space. I’m a local lad and felt it was really important to support in this way. Just to see the kids now enjoying the soft play area is fantastic. Anything that can be done to make life and experiences better for the children and families is certainly to be commended.”

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Gareth Pierce, Chief Executive at Forget Me Not said: “Transforming this underused room in Russell House into an area where children of all abilities can play and have fun safely has been something we’ve wanted to do for a long time.”

“Many of the children we support can’t use public play areas so they can miss out on chance to explore independently in a fun safe space. With hoists and the other equipment we have built in, this is perfect for them.”

“We’re incredibly grateful to our partner, Wooden Spoon, for helping us make this a reality!”

Stuart Watson, Chair of Wooden Spoon West Yorkshire Branch, said: “At Wooden Spoon, the whole objective of our fundraising is to put fun into the lives of children and this is clearly going to do that, so I’m delighted with this project. It really warms my heart.”

For more information about Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, visit https://www.forgetmenotchild.co.uk/

For information about Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby visit https://woodenspoon.org.uk/