National Elf Service helping bring festive joy to local hospitals
WISHH CHARITY FUNDRAISING
DUE to the Covid-19 pandemic, staff at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, which is responsible for Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital, have to look at Christmas a little differently this year.
Traditionally, generous members of our community, businesses and sporting teams deliver an astonishing amount of Christmas gifts for the area’s sickest children the hospitals care for.
To keep patients safe during the pandemic, the highest infection control procedures and restrictions on visiting loved ones are in place across the hospitals to prevent the spread of the virus.
People who want to help spread the festive cheer to patients Hull Hospitals care for over the festive period and beyond are being encouraged this Christmas to “Help the NHS with the WISHH National Elf Service” appeal.
The WISHH Charity has created a festive fundraising pack, bursting with creative ideas, but at the same time observing Covid guidance, by taking part in socially distanced and at-home fundraising ideas from sewing to baking, donning festive attire, to adopting one of Christmas WISHHES, to spread the festive spirit safely in workplaces and schools by supporting the appeal.
Donations and fundraisers can be set up online via a dedicated Just Giving page or via a cheque made payable to “WISHH Charity”, and posted to WISHH Charity – National Elf Service Appeal, First Floor Administration Block, Castle Hill Hospital, Castle Road, Cottingham, HU16 5JQ. Writing on the back “National Elf Service”.
Funds raised from the appeal will enable the hospitals to purchase “Covid-safe gifts” for children of all ages who will be staying on hospital wards over the Christmas period.
Such support will also make a difference to patients being looked after in Children’s Emergency Department, Eye Hospital, Anlaby Suite and other specialist areas. Any additional funds will be used to support patients across city hospitals throughout the year.
Elderly patients will also be provided with items to make their stay in hospital more comfortable.
Businesses who would like to support this appeal are asked to get in touch with Lisa Whitton on 01482 622999 or email Hellowishh@hey. nhs.uk
Beverley Geary, chief nurse for Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Members of our local community always go the extra mile at Christmas time to support patients, young and old, who find themselves in hospital; it’s one of the things that’s so great about Hull and the East Riding.
“We are always overwhelmed by the many offers of Christmas gifts and donations we receive, but this year, for the protection of our patients and to enable staff to focus on their care, we are having to do things a little differently.
“While we know people love to collect toys and gifts, we hope people will also understand that safety has to be our number one priority. That’s why, this year, we are asking people to make monetary donations to our hospital charity rather than donating physical gifts, so that we can co-ordinate Christmas surprises for our patients in a Covid-safe way ourselves.
“The WISHH Charity ‘National Elf Service Appeal’ provides plenty of ideas for ways in which individuals and community groups can still get involved and help us bring some festive cheer for patients spending time in hospital. We’d really encourage anyone who wants to do so to get involved in this way, and help us to keep our hospitals safe this Christmas.”
For further information, call 01482 622299 or email us at HellowIshh@hey.nhs.uk.
Members of our local community always go the extra mile at Christmas time to support patients Beverley Geary