https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/press-releases/disney-reef-goshs-first-children-s-outdoor-space-opens-patients/

The Disney Reef, GOSH's first children’s outdoor space, opens to patients

13 Jun 2018, 10:51 a.m.

GOSH patients Elliott and Summer join Tess Daly and Mickey and Minnie Mouse to open the Disney Reef

The Disney Reef, a colourful, underwater-themed outdoor play area has been unveiled at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).GOSH Charity Children’s Champion and mum Tess Daly joined patients and their families as the new area was revealed for the first time. Joining her was four-year-old patient Elliott Livingstone, who received a heart transplant at GOSH in 2016.

Four-year-old Elliott Livingstone spent a record 400 days on a mechanical ‘Berlin Heart’ at GOSH while waiting for a heart transplant. Elliott has made a remarkable recovery following his heart transplant, and his family continues to travel from their home in Hampshire for his ongoing care at the hospital. They are looking forward to spending time together in this space.

ess Daly and GOSH patient Elliott hold the key to the newly opened Disney Reef at GOSH

The Disney Reef, positioned in the heart of the hospital, was designed by Walt Disney Imagineers, in collaboration with the hospital’s dedicated Play Team and patients. It brings together lights and other sensory elements, as well as Disney favourites Mickey Mouse and Goofy, Ariel from The Little Mermaid and Hank from Finding Dory - all sculpted specifically for the Reef. Every day, 618 seriously ill children from across the UK arrive at GOSH, and for those patients who spend weeks or even months on end at the hospital, the Disney Reef will be a vital outdoor space where they can spend time with siblings and family members.

Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Assistant Chief Nurse, Herdip Sidhu-Bevan, said of the space “Thank you so much to Disney for bringing the amazing Disney Reef to Great Ormond Street Hospital. This is a very special space where children can take some much-needed time outside, away from the busy ward environment, and where they can relax and enjoy themselves together with their families. The Reef’s design will accommodate patients with a wide range of conditions, and of all ages, so it’s truly inclusive and will be a fantastic addition to the hospital.”

Elliott’s mum Candace Livingstone says: “To officially open the Disney Reef was fantastic, Elliott loves ships and Disney, and I know he’d have so enjoyed spending time here while we were staying in the hospital. I’m sure many families will see this as a haven, a place for their children to play and to relax. I know we’ll visit time and time again when we come back to GOSH for Elliott’s ongoing appointments.”

In 2008, Disney made an extraordinary commitment to raise £10 million through the Disney Appeal for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity which concluded in 2014. The Company has an ongoing commitment to continue to deliver magical experiences for patients and their families from mini-premieres, to character and talent visits, to bedside screenings of Disney’s films and television shows. The opening of The Disney Reef celebrates one of the future experiences patients will enjoy, and demonstrates how the money raised enriches the lives of many seriously ill children and those closest to them; including the Disney Interactive Play Area located in the Hospital’s Lagoon Restaurant.

ENDS 

Contact Information

For more information about The Disney Reef at Great Ormond Street Hospital, please contact: 
Disney’s charitable partnerships, and the GOSH Disney Reef, please contact

Melissa Shelley, GOSH Charity 
Melissa.Shelley@gosh.org / 0203 841 3185

Notes to Editors

The Disney Reef is positioned between the Premier Inn Clinical Building and the Morgan Stanley Clinical Building, at the heart of the Mittal Children’s Medical Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

About Great Ormond Street Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity:
Great Ormond Street Hospital is one of the world’s leading children’s hospitals with the broadest range of dedicated, children’s healthcare specialists under one roof in the UK. The hospital’s pioneering research and treatment gives hope to children from across the UK with the rarest, most complex and often life-threatening conditions. Our patients and families are central to everything we do – from the moment they come through the door and for as long as they need us.

Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity needs to raise money to support the hospital to give seriously ill children, the best chance for life. The charity funds research into pioneering new treatments for children, provides the most up to date medical equipment, funds support services for children and their families and supports the essential rebuilding and refurbishment of the hospital. You can help us to provide world class care for our patients and families. For more information visit www.gosh.org

About The Walt Disney Company UK & Ireland:
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise. Disney is a Dow 30 company and had annual revenues of $55.1 billion in its last fiscal year (FY17).

The Walt Disney Company has operated in the UK & Ireland for over 80 years, employing more than 3,300 people, and is dedicated to creating innovative, entertainment experiences for children and families. The Disney brand is experienced in a number of ways across the UK & Ireland including in cinemas, on stage, via its streaming app DisneyLife, on TV screens with Disney-branded channels and through a wide range of consumer products that are sold at mass market retailers and in Disney Stores. Now in its fifth year, Disney’s partnership with Public Health England and the ’10 Minute Shake Up’ campaign has seen over 2 million kids get active with over 100 million extra minutes of physical activity being completed.