For eight-year-old Little Telethon Star Paige McKay, the day before Telethon has felt like Christmas Eve as she met her idol Emma Memma.
Paige gave Emma Memma an exclusive look at Perth Children’s Hospital’s soon-to-open Children’s Garden.
“It’s been magical,” she said.
“There’s no Christmas decorations, but there’s Emma Memma so it’s just as good.”
For young patients in the hospital’s oncology and burns wards, spending time outdoors is severely limited.
Due to the risk of infection for these kids, a simple outing such as going to the park becomes a complex medical challenge.
There was a basic garden on site but it wasn’t suitable for the vulnerable kids in the nearby wards so construction began in January on a purpose-built playground.
Scheduled to officially open in December with infection prevention and control as a massive consideration, it will provide an amazing and safe place where immuno-compromised children can go and explore.
Paige, who has spent a significant portion of her young life inside PCH due to her rare brain tumour, was given the special honour of being the very first child to play in the new garden.
Hand-in-hand with Emma Memma, Paige gave the beloved star a guided tour of her turf, drawing love hearts together, tackling the climbing walls and going on an animal hunt through the structures.
“I love the drums and the climbing the most,” Paige said.
Reflecting on their special morning, Emma Memma said it was deeply touching to watch Paige enjoy the Children’s Garden.
“I think because it was a space that she knew, then she wanted to show me the space,” she said.
“She’s proud of where she is, and again, that means a lot because that, at the end of the day, is a hospital.
“Being outside is part of being a child too. You know, they want to be outside and explore the world, and that’s a really beautiful and safe environment.”
For Emma, this meeting was more than a picture opportunity with a young fan.
“It’s actually so nice that Telethon has this opportunity for little ones to be able to share their story, because that’s what it’s about,” she said.
“These little ones are actually being really vulnerable . . . we join Telethon with the spirit of giving and being part of it, and the fact that people across Western Australia have been so welcoming to our ethos and our philosophy has been lovely.”
As Telethon begins, Paige is already dreaming of coming back to the garden on warmer days once it is opened later this year.