Evelina London patients party with the Prime Minister

Jack, who attended the party, with his autograph of Prime Minister Theresa May.

Patients at Evelina London attended a very special Christmas party at 10 Downing Street this week.

Prime Minister Theresa May hosted the party as a special treat for children’s charities and hospitals, and six children currently under the care of Evelina London Children’s Hospital were invited along, accompanied by a parent or carer. The families were joined by staff, including the palliative care team who support children with life limiting and life threatening conditions.

From meeting Father Christmas to arts and crafts, a disco and children’s entertainers, children were kept occupied with a variety of activities to take their minds off their time in hospital. Children enjoyed a tug of war, snowball fight and even played hide and seek in the historic rooms inside Number 10.

Jack Gower and his mum, Ella, from Hertfordshire were among those enjoying a break from the ward. Jack, now 11, has been cared for by Evelina London for more than six years, and receives regular treatment from the complex motor disorders and orthopaedics teams for his cerebral palsy.

Jack said: “I was so surprised that I got to go somewhere so special. I never imagined that being in hospital would mean I would get to go to Downing Street! It was a really nice place and the entertainment was really good. I forgot about my problems and being in hospital, it helped to take my mind off everything.

“My favourite bit was meeting the Prime Minister and getting her autograph. She asked how I was and said it was very nice to see me.”

Theresa May said: “I was absolutely delighted to welcome children from charities and hospitals across the UK to this very special Christmas event. It was fantastic to see the children filling Downing Street’s halls and rooms with festive cheer and laughter and I’m pleased to hear the event helped children like Jack take their minds off their hospital treatment.”