A play area used by young patients at Darent Valley Hospital is to get a makeover after a haulage firm donated £10,000.

Europa Worldwide Group, which has headquarters in Albion Road, Dartford, raised the cash and has pledged another £6,000 towards the final cost.

Children admitted to Willow Ward were not able to play outside when the hospital’s old climbing frame was deemed unsafe last summer.

Since then, the damaged equipment has been removed so the children can go outside, but the climbing frame has not been replaced.

Europa credit manager Chris McGurk first became aware of the damaged play area when visiting two friends’ children.

He said: “It was devastating to see the children on the ward having to stay indoors due to the derelict play area when I visited last year.

“All of the ward staff work so hard to ensure the children have the very best experience while going through the trauma of being in hospital, including dedicated play specialists who do a wonderful job to relax and distract the children by their bedside.

“I wanted to see what Europa could do to help to give the children the most positive experience possible.”

Sally George, head of fundraising and voluntary services at Darent Valley Hospital, said: “During 2017 we had to stop our young patients from accessing Willow Ward’s playground, even through the hot weather, because our wooden play equipment had become old, unsafe and in a state of disrepair.

“This has now been removed so children can go outside and get some fresh air, but it is now stark with a big void where the previous equipment was.

“We are so grateful to Europa for recognising this need and for choosing to support us to deliver an even more exciting outside space, for children of all ages and mobility to benefit and explore to help aid their recovery.”

Europa also plans to run a competition for the children on the ward to name the climbing frame ship, with the winning name being mounted on a plaque.