The parents’ room at a children’s ward at Barnet General Hospital has been given a £7,500 makeover.

A donation has helped kit out the room with new kitchen fittings, furniture, a sofa, and flooring.

There is also a new television, fridge, and microwave, making it a comfortable and welcoming space for parents to relax while their children are being cared for in Galaxy ward.

It has all been made possible by the Joely Bear Appeal - a charity founded 25 years ago by Elstree couple Lisa and Leigh Renak, who set it up in memory of their four-year-old son Joel, who died of a rare liver cancer.

Joel was cared for on Galaxy ward as well as at Great Ormond Street and Kings College Hospital.

The funding comes two years after the Joely Bear Appeal paid for a teen oncology room, where teenagers and children can relax after receiving chemotherapy.

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Leigh Renak cuts the ribbon to the new room at the hospital

Mr Renak said: "It was a mutual idea to fund the renovations to this room – having provided a space for the kids, we wanted to do something for the parents. We left the decisions over the decorations to the team here and I think it looks great. It’s big change from when I was a parent on the old children’s ward at the hospital 25 years ago. There weren’t any parent rooms then.

"I think it is really valuable – that there is somewhere relaxing parents can go while their children are on the ward.”

Georgia Demetriou from East Barnet is one of the parents using the room – her 14-year-old daughter Alexia is being cared for on Galaxy Ward.

She said: "It’s lovely and welcoming. We can come here and make a cup of tea. It’s also somewhere to go to have a half-hour away from the ward. When you are on the ward, you don’t want to disturb the children sleeping so it’s difficult to talk, but now you can come in here and have a chat – you can also speak to other parents which is really helpful."