Children in Hospital Ireland is a national non profit organisation, one of Ireland’s leading children’s charities, promoting the welfare of all children in hospital regardless of illness or condition. CHI has worked for 40 years promoting the emotional and developmental needs of sick children by providing play in hospital. Play is an important part of childhood but in hospital it has added value. Play and fun activities reassure children and help them cope with illness and hospital. It provides them with a sense of normality and offers great opportunities to socialise with other children. Children in Hospital Ireland offers extensive services for parents and carers of sick children and provides an advocacy and advisory resource for planners, policymakers, the HSE and the Department of Health and Children.