Youngsters had the chance to hold a snake, gecko and tree frog during an activity day organised by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
The event was for children who are either bereaved or have a brother or sister receiving care at The Treehouse.
Other highlights included pumpkin-carving and a scavenger hunt within the hospice’s secluded woodland garden.
Seventeen children took part, ranging in age from four to 12. Two others who were at the hospice receiving care were also able to join in.
“We had such great fun together, with lots of highlights and plenty of positive feedback afterwards,” said EACH Groups and Events Co-ordinator Kelly Evans.
“Some of the children who have previously struggled to stay all day said they really enjoyed themselves.
“One little girl who didn’t want her mum to leave ended up having a great time and being fully invested in everything we did, while another couple of friends told me they’d had the ‘best day ever’.
“It makes all the planning and organisation worthwhile, and I’m so pleased it was such a success.”
After getting creative carving pumpkins and taking part in the scavenger hunt, the children enjoyed a fiendishly tasty Halloween-themed lunch.
Sweet treats included jelly that looked like brains and strawberry sauce bearing a striking resemblance to blood.
Then, in the afternoon, they enjoyed an exotic animal experience, run by Wild Science.
The children got to see, touch and handle six animals – cockroaches, a snake and a tree frog, as well as a guinea pig, gecko and giant African snail.
EACH’s regular sibling days allow brothers and sisters to come together, have fun and make friends in a safe environment.
This one took place on Tuesday, 29th October, and the pumpkins were kindly donated by Akenham Hall Farm.
Pictures: Leo Martin (@parallaxwolf)/EACH
