The benefit gala on 6 September 2018 at the Jaarbeurs, with the theme Play and Exercise, generated a whopping € 1,001,700 with the help of many colleagues. This money was intended for medically responsible play equipment, research into the activity programs, but also for finishing the gardens.
Patients, parents and staff can come together in the nature and exercise garden to relax, meet or exercise. All this according to the vision of the Athletic Skills Model. The Athletic Skills Model is a new way of thinking about moving, based on scientific research.
The garden now has a wheelchair trampoline, a large swing, a climbing hill with a slide and a sports field. Furthermore, there is a bumpy track that is not only accessible for wheelchair users and patients with an IV pole, but even for children in their beds. Not only is this fun to do, but in this way children unconsciously also train their balance or trunk stability.
In the gardens there are also places where people can have a moment for themselves or meet others. The gardens must contribute to reducing stress through distraction, play and fun. Not only for patients, but also for parents and employees. The holistic vision of the Athletic Skills Model behind the designed gardens fits perfectly with the developmental care of the Princess Máxima Center, because it playfully challenges children to move around to make them forget that they are sick.