A HOSPITAL charity is at least £6,000 out of pocket and its youngest patients are the latest victims of the cancelled Olly Murs gig fiasco.

Bournemouth Hospital Charity said money it was set to receive from the pop concert was due to create a children’s play area in A&E to make youngsters’ visits less traumatic – a plan that is now on hold unless donations come in.

Olly Murs did not respond to a Tweet sent by the Daily Echo asking if he could help the charity’s plight.

Senior corporate fundraiser Maria Tidy said: “It really is a very sad situation which has left a huge hole for our small charity.”

Maria said promoter Stephen McManus agreed the charity would get 10 per cent of tickets sold through a promotional code, 30 per cent of programme sales from the event, donations from bucket collections on the night, tickets to auction and raffle and a meet and greet with Olly Murs which went for £3,000 at an auction.

The money would have gone to developing a play-focused children’s waiting area complete with comfy seating, tables, toys, artwork and decorations.

Maria explained: “The emergency department sees 12,000 children a year and staff deal with the emergency assessment and care for a wide range of emergencies.

“Hospital can be a daunting place full of noise, unfamiliar people and unfamiliar equipment. It can be an incredibly stressful, traumatic and worrying time for the child and their carer.

“Being able to play in hospital means children can continue with an aspect of their normal life, reduce stress and also provide some much needed fun. Distraction through play provides a strong role in comforting patients and the project would help alleviate undue stress and worry.

“This plan will have to now go on hold while we try to plug the hole this has left.”

The charity has received no contact from Mr McManus.

Maria added: “We feel incredibly let down by his actions. I don’t know the full circumstances but for the charity and everyone who wants to do something positive, it’s a very sad situation.”