Easter Bunny Spreads Smiles with Visit to Red Cross Children’s Hospital | Western Cape Government

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Easter Bunny Spreads Smiles with Visit to Red Cross Children’s Hospital

17 April 2014

The Easter Bunny made its annual visit to Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital on 17 April 2014 during the hospital’s annual Easter parade.

The event is one of two annual parades held at the hospital that are designed to include hospitalised children in festivities they would ordinarily miss out on. The Easter parade is traditionally held on the Thursday before Easter Sunday.

The parade started at 12:00 with the arrival of the Easter Bunnies that were escorted by a foot parade made up of clowns and a marching band, the Juvie Boys; and followed by a vehicle cavalcade. The parade vehicles did several turns around the hospital, while the Easter Bunnies were accompanied by clowns to the wards to ensure that every child was part of the festivities.

“It’s truly inspiring to spend time at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and bear witness to the wonderful work they do. I always look forward to the parade. Seeing the sheer joy and excitement on the faces of these children warms my heart,” said the Easter Bunny.

The fun-filled parade also included various activities to keep the children entertained for the day; these included an animal petting zoo, face painting, a puppet show, the usual egg handovers and a prize giving for competitions that were held at the hospital during the run-up to the event. Volunteers from the Friends of the Children’s Hospital Association (FOCHA) ensured for festivities in the wards.

The Easter Parade is one of the most looked forward to events on the hospital’s calendar and it is enjoyed by patients and staff alike.

Western Cape Minister of Health, Theuns Botha, thanked every contributor to the annual Easter Parade. “Thank you for caring for our children. I don’t have enough words to praise the staff for their commitment to the healing of our children.” He also wished staff and patients a blessed Easter.

Media Enquiries: 

Angelique Jordaan
Communications Officer: Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital
Tel: 021 658 5448
E-mail: angelique.jordaan@westerncape.gov.za