Party at 10 Downing Street

Top: Hannah and Samuel Draisey meet Father Christmas at 10 Downing Street. Bottom: Hannah meets Paddington Bear

Young patients from Evelina London Children’s Hospital attended a very special Christmas party for children’s charities and hospitals at 10 Downing Street.

A group of children under the care of Evelina London were invited to attend the Prime Minister’s annual Christmas party to enjoy festive activities. The young patients and their families were joined by staff from Evelina London, including a play specialist, nursing staff and the palliative care team who support children with life limiting and life threatening conditions.

Children met Father Christmas and Paddington Bear, danced at a disco, took part in a chocolate coin hunt, and even had an indoor snowball fight.

Fourteen year old Hannah Draisey attended the party with her parents and brother, Samuel. Hannah has been cared for by Evelina London for several years and receives regular treatment from the renal team for a complex kidney condition.

Hannah said: “I was so excited when I found out we’d been invited to Downing Street. The house is a bit grand but it’s amazing. My favourite bits were getting to make bracelets and meeting Paddington Bear.”

Hannah’s mother, Catherine, added: “To be honest, when we were asked if we’d like to go I was completely gobsmacked that we’d been invited. We were all so excited to go – how many people get to go to a party at Downing Street?”

A Number 10 spokesperson said: “We were very pleased to welcome Evelina London Children’s Hospital, along with other children and volunteers from charities across the UK, to Downing Street this year to celebrate Christmas.”

Cathy Gill, senior play specialist at Evelina London, who went to the party with the children, said: “Not many children get to see the inside 10 Downing Street so it was a wonderful opportunity. And it’s all the more exciting because it’s such a special time of year and the house is decorated for Christmas. There was even fake snow for a snowball fight, although I was a bit worried about the number of snowballs that seemed to be hitting the chandelier!”