Everywhere We Go! – Estonia, May 2004 (Donation 7)

Tallin Children’s Hospital – Tallin, Estonia

Thursday 27 May by Steve Ricketts

“It’s not often that I see 10:30am on match day but (along with 7 brave others) I was up and about and raring to go as we boarded our taxibus to the Tallinn Children’s Hospital.
With a wee bit of redirection from a helpful doctor, we finally met up with the British Ambassador to Estonia, Nigel Haywood, the Embassy’s press officer, Raimo Poom, and chairwoman of the Children’s Hospital Foundation, Inna Kramer.

After taking us to a hospital wing desperately in need of a refit and introducing us to some gobsmacked children, Inna explained to them the background of the Sunshine Appeal and the reason behind our visit that day.

She also described to the rest of us how renovation of the hospital is entirely dependent on funds raised by the Foundation and how the Sunshine Appeal’s donation of 23,398 krooni would benefit the refit of the traumatological department and the assist in the purchase of a new cytogenetics system. The ambassador and myself gave short and humble replies to this, reflecting our awe of the work of the staff and the bravery of the children, and also despair at the conditions and equipment they had to work with.

The head of the hospital, Dr Martenson, then continued our tour of part of the hospital that was soon to be renovated before showing us their state-of-the-art neo-natal unit, diagnostics lab, and soolakamber (salt chamber to you and me) which helps patients with respiratory problems.

We can all rest assured that our donation will make a huge difference here.
Some time was left for press and TV interviews as well as refreshments and questions for the staff before we reboarded our taxibus bound for vodka oblivion (with an away win and a pear cider stop on the way).

A big thank you to all those who came along, dotdash, jenblueeyes, John fae Shetland, Scotty and Mrs P, and FTB.”

Details

name  Tallin Children’s Hospital Foundation

location  Tallin, Estonia

REPORT  Steve Ricketts