mmg.com.au

It was the potato chips and mixed lollies that made their eyes light up, giving them a moment of fun and distraction.

Shepparton News Kids’ Pagepaid a visit to Goulburn Valley Health children’s ward this week delivering show bags full of goodies, and DVDs and books to the children.

The kids were in good spirits as they rummaged through their showbag and inspected a Postman Pat DVD, picture book or teen novel.

Some were about to undergo surgery and others wouldn’t be discharged until the end of the week.

Barooga’s Keegan Brooks, 12, enjoyed just two days of Year 7 at Goulburn Valley Grammar School before he was admitted to hospital with a broken tibia and fibula at the weekend.

Keegan was riding his scooter at Shepparton Skate Park and came off landing awkwardly on his leg.

A keen dancer for five years, Keegan will be on the sidelines for 12 weeks until he can compete again.

Keegan was more than happy to pose for a photo for the newspaper.

‘‘The camera will pick him up, he’s such a performer’’ said Keegan’s mother Trudy Brooks.

‘‘He sent an audition tape into Young Talent Time two days before the accident — he said he hoped they don’t call him until he’s better.’’

Shepparton’s Tanner Bensch, 2, was a little reluctant when Shepparton News Kids’ Page co-ordinator Kerrie Dimit approached him.

But when he realised what was in the show bag he was all smiles.

‘‘Thank you,’’ Tanner said as he held a Bob the Builder DVD tightly in his little hands.

‘‘Bob the Builder is his favourite,’’ Tanner’s father Shane Bensch said.

Tanner also liked the look of the mixed lollies and the Kids’ Page highlighter and fluro pencil eraser.

Co-ordinator Kerrie said even though the children were unwell they still had smiles on their faces.

‘‘It was beautiful to see their eyes light up,’’ Kerrie said.

‘‘They were really excited about the books to read as well, it was really nice to see the older kids reading and keeping their minds active while away from school.

Kerrie said the parents were also thrilled about the delivery of goodies as it was a nice distraction for their children while in hospital.

‘‘It’s a way for Shepparton News to give back to the community,’’ she said.