This year’s 30th free Playday event at Scolton Manor, Haverfordwest, not only highlighted the services provided at the Puffin Children’s Ward at Withybush Hospital, but also raised money for it as well.

Attending the annual Playday in August was Sandra Jones, play service manager with the Hywel Dda University Health Board. She spent the day talking to children, young people and their families about the new facilities in the unit.

Meanwhile, elsewhere on the site Emma Williams and Sian Davies from Pembrokeshire County Council’s catering team were busy selling a variety of tasty snacks, including Welsh cakes, to some of the 1,000 visitors.

As a result of their first visit to a Playday event, Emma and Sian were later able to visit the Puffin Ward (the paediatric ambulatory care unit) and donate £53.40.

They were accompanied by the county council’s official school meals mascot, Lennie the Leek, who handed over the cheque.

Emma said: “We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to take part in the Playday event and delighted to be able to give a donation to the Puffin Ward.”

Sandra Jones said she and her colleagues were grateful for the donation.

She explained: “It will assist us in providing a safe and secure garden at the unit. This work is currently underway and will include a sensory area.

“We also had the bonus of a visit by Lennie the Leek who cheered up the children and young people on the ward.”

Sandra also thanked Damian Golden, the play sufficiency officer for the county council, who helped secure an All-Wales Play Opportunities Grant to purchase play panels for the garden project.