Bored boy uses pocket money to lift spirits of sick kids in hospital

Jacob Lowen.

A 7-year-old boy who was bored while visiting his dad at Waikato Hospital during the school holidays started spending his own pocket money on activity packs for sick children but needs more help.

Jacob Lowen used $70 of his own money - which at $5 a week had taken him 14 weeks to save - to buy items such as felt tip pens, miniature soldiers and dolls for the packs.

But once the thoughtful Hamilton boy was down to $20.40 in the piggybank he decided to spend the rest on himself and convinced his mum Alicia to set-up a Facebook page asking for donations of play items and money.

He put up a poster at school and set up a Givealittle page so people had somewhere secure to send money.

He also got his mum to email businesses the family shop at and five have already agreed to send items.

While Jacob's activity packs were still a work in progress he expected each to contain seven items and hoped to make his first delivery next week.

Jacob, who attends Aberdeen Primary School, spent the first week of the school holidays visiting his dad Karl at the hospital.

His father was recovering from surgery after damaging his carpal tunnel and ulna nerve when tripping over one of the family's cats.

Although Mrs Lowen said Jacob and his 4-year-old sister Amelia wanted to visit Dad, boredom set in after the first visit and they started packing a bag with Lego, colouring in and reading books to keep themselves busy while they were at the hospital.

Jacob told the Herald he realised other kids who spent a lot of time at the hospital would also probably get bored so he asked if he could put packs together for sick children.

He had settled for colouring in packs and figurines as he did not think his favourite toy - a plastic gun which shot bullets - would be allowed.

Waikato Hospital communications director Mary Anne Gill, who co-ordinates the hospital's donations, was not aware of Jacob's proposal but commended the young boy's efforts.

While the hospital was grateful for any donations, people could also donate directly to the hospital to ensure the money went towards items that were really needed because used toys were not always suitable.