![\"vol](\"https:\/\/blogs.rch.org.au\/intranetnews\/files\/2014\/05\/vol-409-272.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nPictured L-R: Play therapist volunteers Margaret Lane, Kezia Hallam, Grace Nixon, Netasha Gibson and Rachel Melhem.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Grace Nixon<\/strong><\/p>\n When a busy uni student donates time that could be spent studying, socializing or working for rent, she usually has a story. Grace was a RCH kid herself, diagnosed with MS at 16 and treated at the hospital. Now a psychology student at Melbourne University, she volunteers in specialist clinics\u00a0on Tuesday afternoons.<\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s a great distraction for the kids and parents,\u2019 Grace says. \u2018Time spent here can be very stressful for parents, and our work\u00a0relieves them of the extra effort of keeping their kids entertained.\u2019<\/p>\n While Grace gives her time for free, she doesn\u2019t leave her volunteer shifts empty-handed.<\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s such a rewarding experience. I get to help out, I have fun, and the kids are so inspirational. Recently, a little boy with cancer made a joke about his bald head\u2014watching how they cope with what they\u2019re going through, and how happily they play, that really inspires me.\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Netasha Gibson<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2018My brother was treated her once. The RCH has done a lot for my family, and I thought it\u2019d be great to give something back.\u2019<\/p>\n It\u2019s been over a year since optometry student Netasha signed up as a volunteer. Since then, she\u2019s played with endless children, pasted countless shapes and coloured with every hue\u2014 and loved every minute of it.<\/p>\n \u2018Spending time with the little ones is heaps of fun,\u2019 she says. \u2018It takes their minds off things\u2026it even takes my mind of things!\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s a great opportunity to meet people from the community, and to give something back. Plus I learn a lot, too,\u2019 she says. \u2018I would definitely <\/em>recommend it.\u2019<\/p>\n To Netahsa\u2019s delight, many kids rush right back to her after their appointments, eager to keep hanging with their new playmate.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kezia Hallam<\/strong><\/p>\n Kezia never considered herself a natural with children. \u2018Before I came here, I found it challenging to interact with kids unless they\u2019d already expressed interest in what I was doing,\u2019 she admits.<\/p>\n However, her volunteer\u00a0training has put those fears to rest. Today is her first day of volunteering, and she\u2019s bursting with enthusiasm. \u2018I\u2019ve learned if I just have some colourful books out and a smile, they\u2019ll come right away and start enjoying themselves!\u2019<\/p>\n Kezia came to the RCH after volunteering in India for her gap year. Having caught the volunteering bug, she sought worthy local causes to support. \u2018I had a few friends stay at RCH for treatment and I had a chance to see the services\u2014I thought they were really cool. My friends really enjoyed spending time with the volunteers, so I thought this would be something I\u2019d like to get involved with.\u2019<\/p>\n ~<\/p>\n