With public’s help, Christmas in hospital can still be special
WHILE many of us are wondering what Christmas will look like this year, spare a thought for those whio will be spending the festive season in hospital, with little or no prospect of a family visit.
With this in mind, Leicester’s Hospitals, with the help of Leicester Hospitals Charity are making sure that one thing will stay the same - all patients who wake up on Christmas Day at Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester General or Glenfield Hospital will receive a present.
Under current restrictions, members of the public are unable to drop off or deliver presents at the hospitals, but through the charity gifts have been purchased for adults and children.
The charity wants to make the gifts personal and is asking the public to help by sending in personalised messages via Leicester’s Hospital’s website (see below).
To submit a message people can go online before Friday, December 11.
All messages will be added to a Christmas card to be given out to patients with a gift.
Additionally, children are being invited to submit a festive picture for the card design. Two of the best under-18s designs will be chosen for the card and will be made available as a gift tag download for people to use at home too.
Lisa Davies, director of Leicester Hospitals Charity said: “We have adapted the annual Making Christmas Special campaign to make sure everyone can still receive a present on Christmas Day in the safest possible way.
“Although we can’t accept physical presents we really need your help with the messages.
“I have been in touch with Santa, who is happy with what we are doing and will make sure the presents get to our patients in time!”
For those who use the festive period to donate to charity, the hospitals are encouraging them to consider the Leicester Children’s Hospital Appeal to raise £7.5 million towards the first single-site children’s hospital in the East Midlands.
“We are getting so close to reaching our £7.5 million target,” said Ms Davies. “Every year we are amazed at how generous the community is wanting to give gifts for patients in our hospitals over Christmas, but just for this year we would ask if people would consider donating to our i appeal instead.”
Donations to this appeal can be made through the Do Them Proud website, below. Also, donations to Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland will help to support older people in the community this Christmas.
Age UK donations can be made online at Virgin Money Giving.