Rocking around the Christmas tree
20 December, 2024
Children at Sunshine House, which is run by City Health Care Partnership CIC and cares for children and young people with complex health needs and life limiting conditions, had a special Christmas treat today.
Darren Storrer is a project manager for Sewell Facilities Management. Just before the Covid pandemic, he was working at Hull College and was given the instructions to make a rocking horse and a pile of wood. He started the project with his students, but it stalled during lockdown and he didn’t pick up his chisel again for four years, moving to a job at Sewell’s.
But then in 2024 Sewell FM celebrated its 30th year and pledged to raise £30,000 for charity. Darren remembered the rocking horse and started work on it again. 240 hours later, he had carved and painted the full horse by hand and given it a mane and tail, saddle and bridle.
“We were thinking of auctioning the horse to raise money for charity, but I was worried people just wanted it as an ornament and I made it for children to play on. One of my colleagues, who’d worked on the Sunshine House refurbishment after it was flooded in 2013, suggested the children there would love it.
“It’s wonderful to see it here and to know that it will be loved and appreciated. I hope it’s a great start to Christmas for everyone at Sunshine House and will be giving rides for years to come.”
Amy Cundy, clinical team lead at Sunshine House, was thrilled to welcome the horse, who has been named Jack, to the facility. “The children love to do role play,” she said. “Even if they can’t ride on Jack they can stroke his mane and tail and enjoy the sensation. They will absolutely love him and he’ll be treasured by everyone here. We are so grateful to Darren for this incredible gift.”
