For charity foundations, helping the sick is child's play

Robert Goodwin represented Mattel Children's Foundation to sign a three-year partnership agreement with Beijing Children's Hospital Group. Photos Provided to China Daily

When Robert Goodwin walks through a children's hospital in Beijing, he is shocked to see so many parents and children. As director, corporate affairs and executive director with Mattel Children's Foundation, the charitable arm of global toymaker Mattel Inc, Goodwin and his team are here to try to make a difference for Chinese children's healthcare.

Recently, the charity struck a three-year partnership with Beijing Children's Hospital Group to create spaces for sick children to play. Mattel will supply toys and childhood development materials for this.

The hospital group is a consortium comprising 18 children's hospitals in China including the Beijing Children's Hospital, the Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital, and the Dalian Children's Hospital.

To start with, the foundation will build 10 play centers in these hospitals where children can play with the toys under the care of child development professionals.

Each of the play centers will be of at least 80 square meters, and the first will be built soon in the Beijing Children's Hospital.