Lego make special model to help children understand radiotherapy treatment

Posted 10th October 2016

Young patient Reece Holt was the guest of honour at Legoland Discovery Centre to receive a special model that will help children with cancer understand their treatment.

Reece, 10, received daily radiotherapy treatments at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Merseyside after surgery for a brain tumour.

Sarah Stead, Paediatric Specialist Radiographer demonstrates to many children how radiotherapy works by using a small and basic model of a radiography machine, which is one of a number of play initiatives used to put the young cancer patients at ease.

Fascinated by the technology behind the radiotherapy equipment, Reece, from Morecambe in Lancashire, took inspiration from Sarah’s model and decided to make his own recreation of the machine. He then kindly gave this to the radiotherapy department so he could encourage other children to feel inspired and at ease.

He said: "I thought if another child was scared of the machine, they could play with it first so it didn't seem so scary when they had treatment."

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre decided to see if Legoland Discovery Centre Manchester was interested in helping produce something built by its Master Model Builder Alex Bidolak, and Sarah was thrilled when they got involved.

The attraction has made an even bigger version of the model to help other children coming into the department for treatment. Reece was excited to accept the new model on behalf of the hospital.

Sarah said: "Children are vulnerable and a visit to a new hospital can be a daunting experience.

"I focus a lot of the time on play, as it helps children to understand, make friends and develop relationships but more importantly to have fun.

"I spend time with each child in the radiotherapy machine room explaining how the machine works but unfortunately time is limited. I can use the Lego model to explain how the machine will move in more depth and answer any of their questions.”

Sarah added: "I would like to say a massive thank you to Legoland Discovery Centre Manchester for putting the time and effort into making this model for Clatterbridge, it will be an invaluable tool."

Reece's mum Rachel O'Neil said: "Reece has always been a fan of Lego but after surgery for the tumour it became an important tool in helping him rebuild his fine motor skills and coordination. This experience today has been great and we hope the model will help other children."

James Thomas, General Manager at Legoland Discovery Centre Manchester, commented: “We’re so pleased to be involved in helping make the Lego model for the young patients at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and really hope this recreation will help put many more children at ease when having treatment. It’s such a great cause and we’re honoured to have been involved with it.”