Children's hospital menu honours girl's legacy
Sophie's LegacyHospitals in a county have launched a new children's menu to meet the wishes of a charity set up in honour of a 10-year-old girl.
Sophie Fairfall, from Hampshire, died in September 2021, just one year after being diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer Rhabdomyosarcoma.
Her parents established Sophie's Legacy in her memory, committed to continuing the changes she hoped to see, including improving the quality of hospital food for children.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) said it wanted to "honour Sophie in a meaningful way" and has introduced a range of child-friendly options and snacks alongside its main menu for young patients.
The menu, developed with the trust's dietitians and the children's ward manager aims to also provide emotional comfort for children during what can be a difficult time.
Options include macaroni cheese, cottage pie, and lasagne, alongside lighter choices and snacks.
Stuart Wray, head of catering and food safety at CDDFT, said: "Food plays an important role in a child's wellbeing and recovery while in hospital, so it's vital that we offer meals that are both nutritious and appealing.
"Launching this menu is a meaningful way to honour Sophie's legacy and ensure her impact continues to make a difference for children and families in our care."
The charity said that Sophie's story had prompted change across the NHS, encouraging hospitals to think more carefully about how food and nutrition support recovery and wellbeing.
