Northeast Health Wangaratta (NHW) has received a generous donation of colourful LEGO to its paediatric ward, bringing joy to young patients and their families.

UK-based charity Fairy Bricks, and local not-for-profit group Bricks on the Border Inc, made the donation as part of its support of charitable organisations across regional Victoria and New South Wales.

NHW executive director of people and corporate operations, Kim Bennetts, said play is an important part of a child’s hospital experience, helping provide comfort, distraction and even assisting with treatment through play therapy.

She said the donation was a wonderful gesture that would make a real difference for young patients.

“We are so grateful to Fairy Bricks and Bricks on the Border for their generosity,” Ms Bennetts said.

“The joy and comfort that play brings to children during their hospital stay cannot be underestimated.

"Simple acts of kindness like this can have a lasting impact on a child’s experience in care.

"We’d especially like to thank Jason and Leanne from Bricks on the Border for personally delivering the LEGO to our team.”

Fairy Bricks donates more than 40,000 LEGO sets to hospitals and hospices around the world each year, and it has partnered with Bricks on the Border since 2020 to support the distribution of donations throughout Australia.