Innovative Sensory Pain Distraction Unit bought for Kingston Hospital
Child and nurse enjoying the pain distraction unit at Kingston Hospital
Momentum children’s charity today bought a brand new 3D Sensory Pain Distraction Unit to be used in Kingston Hospital’s Paediatric Unit thanks to a £5,000 donation made by Kingston’s Hippodrome nightclub.
The portable unit, which can be used during complex treatment and also more routine procedures that children have to go through such as blood tests or lumbar punctures, displays moving images on a screen to distract children in pain during treatment and procedures.
The Pain Distraction Unit has proven results where it is being used in other hospitals across the UK, helping children to become distracted during stressful or painful procedures.
Ian Hamilton, manager of The Hippodrome, nominated Momentum to receive the donation from the club’s own charity the Echo Trust.
He said: “We have raised a significant amount for the Echo Trust through regular collections at the club. We asked the Trust to help Momentum because its support for children and their families is so important. It is a way for us to give back to the community and make a difference.”
Bianca Effemey, founder and chief executive of Momentum, said: “We are immensely grateful to The Hippodrome and the Echo Trust for this generous grant, which will make an enormous difference to children undergoing treatment and procedures for their illness.”
Momentum is continuing to raise funds to buy additional smaller portable pain distraction units to be available to its partner hospitals and also Momentum families in their homes.

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Notes to Editors
- For interviews and images please contact Yvonne Winborn on 07970 286115.
- Momentum is a registered, independent charity established in 2004 (Registered charity no 1106677). In addition to supporting families both during and after treatment, Momentum’s main objective is to improve the facilities and to enhance the healing environment in hospitals where children are undergoing treatment for cancer and life-limiting conditions. Momentum also owns two holiday homes in the New Forest where it can send families for much-needed breaks. The charity recently set up Momentum Echoes, a support group for bereaved parents.
The Hippodrome is part of The Deltic Group which operates 58 bars and clubs across the UK, employing more than 2,000 people. Deltic set up the Echo Trust to grant awards to local children’s charities. Since it was established in 2002 the Echo Trust has raised more than £2.5 million. Money is distributed to causes that are important to its customers.