A DEVELOPMENT project worth a total of £154,000 is set to begin at Ysbyty Gwynedd’s Children’s Ward thanks to a donation from a Gwynedd charity.

Caernarfon-based Gafael Llaw has recently donated £85,000 towards the upgrading of facilities at the Bangor hospital.

Improvements will see bathrooms on the Dewi Ward upgraded in order to meet the needs of children with disabilities. Further work will involve the creation of a new sensory room on the Minffordd Ward, providing therapeutic support for children during their stay.

Ysbyty Gwynedd's clinical services manager for paediatrics and neonatal services, Jo Douglas, said: "We are really looking forward to seeing the work begin on the Children’s Ward which will improve the environment and facilities available for our patients.

"We would like to thank Gafael Llaw and the community for their generous donations which has enabled us to have a vision of how we want to develop the ward to care for children in North Wales.

"Many children are understandably nervous and frightened before they undergo an operation so having a sensory room on the ward would help distract them during this time and minimise any distress they are feeling.

"These improvements to the ward will certainly create a happier environment and improve the service we offer our youngest patients."

Since Gafael Llaw was established in 2013, the charity has supported many projects, including donating £20,000 to the oncology unit at Alder Hey to fund two new rooms and funding to establish a Welsh language library in the hospital.

They have also donated over £30,000 to support a dedicated room on Ysbyty Gwynedd’s Children’s Ward for children living with cancer, new medical equipment and artwork on the ward, as well as the much loved play area.

Gafael Llaw Chairman, Iwan Trefor Jones said: "We’re delighted to see the improvement work getting under way on the ward. We have contributed £85,000 towards this project to build a sensory room and to develop accessible toilets and a bathroom for children and young people on the ward.

"This money has been raised by the local community, through our own fundraising events and kind donations. Over the last four years, our committed team of volunteers have given so much time and effort to raising funds and their commitment and determination has inspired others to volunteer, businesses to sponsor events, and community groups to raise money on our behalf.

"I’d like to thank everyone who has supported us and who continue to do so. We are more passionate than ever to make a difference for children with cancer in this region and we look forward to seeing the difference it will make to children on the ward."

The project is due to complete by the end of March.