This Easter Monday, the corridors of Barnet General Hospital were filled with unexpected joy and colour, thanks to the heartfelt initiative of Gratitude. In a beautiful blend of tradition and community spirit, volunteers from Gratitude took it upon themselves to bring Easter cheer to those who needed it most – the staff and young patients of Barnet General.
Gratitude’s Creative Club, a group dedicated to crafting joy through handmade gifts, outdid themselves this year by creating 125 unique toys. Each piece was made with love, care, and the spirit of Easter, designed to bring a smile to the faces of children and families spending the holiday in hospital. These gifts, alongside 50 large chocolate Easter eggs, formed a trove of treasures that would brighten the Easter weekend for families facing challenging times.
The Easter eggs, symbols of hope and new beginnings, were kindly donated from collections in local gyms with the support of instructors and their clients. This showed the amazing power of community spirit and the impact of collective kindness.
Hundreds of families felt the warmth and care of the wider community through this initiative. The joy was palpable, spreading from room to room, as the Easter Bunny himself – or rather, Patrick S. (Year 5, Cowley Hill Primary School and Nursery), dressed for the occasion – handed out the eggs and toys. His presence was a delightful surprise, turning an ordinary day into a memorable one for the staff and patients at Barnet General Hospital.
This act of kindness from Gratitude and all who contributed to the Easter surprise serves as a beautiful reminder of the impact of community, creativity, and compassion.
Special thanks goes to Valeria, Patrick, Fadile, Lawrence and all the Creative club team.
Through creativity, community efforts, and a shared sense of purpose, Gratitude demonstrated that the spirit of Easter is about more than just chocolate eggs and bunnies. It’s about bringing hope, joy, and gratitude to those around us, making the world a little brighter, one smile at a time.
Written by Carolyne Klein
Photos by Valeria Fazekas
