A room originally planned for patients at the Rainbow Ward at Mater Dei Hospital has been transformed into a playroom for children.

The Rainbow Ward's games room has been refurbished at a cost of €30,000, financed by the Vodafone Malta Foundation, as part of a total €70,000 revamp of the children's ward.

The ward itself has been equipped with a new kitchen, a television set in every room and beds for parents of children who need to stay in hospital for some time.

During a visit by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and his wife Kate, paediatrician Victor Calvagna said children had a 75 per cent chance of recovering from cancer.

He said timely diagnosis, good treatment and a pleasant environment where to recover were essential for children to get well.

The playroom is painted and decorated with Disney characters, featuring a central Cinderella castle, Peter Pan's ship and a Snow White house with hidden storage space for toys and games.

The room is also equipped with a library and laptops, as well as providing a space for parents to relax while their children enjoy the fairytale environment.

"It was always our dream to turn this room into a colourful environment for our children and thanks to Vodafone Malta Foundation, this is now a reality," said Rennie Zerafa, Puttinu co-coordinator at Rainbow Ward.

The Puttinu Foundation is a non-profit organisation that raises funds in support of children with cancer.