They say Christmas is a time for giving and for the Trust’s charity that most definitely was the case.

Throughout December, Well Wishers charity received a tremendous amount of toy donations from generous members of the public and businesses to benefit children using healthcare services over the festive period.

From babies to teenagers, there was something for everyone.

After all the festivities are over, everyone starts to think about the year ahead but we couldn’t start 2022 without sharing how your donations have truly made a difference to children and families.

See below some of the areas that have benefitted from these toys and what our staff who run these services had to say:

Children’s ward and Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU)

Trust Play Specialist Emma Lester was extra busy during December ensuring her first Christmas as a Play Specialist on the Children’s Ward and PAU was one to remember for our younger patients.

Emma said: “The amount of presents was quite overwhelming and I can’t believe how local businesses, football associations, community groups and the general public have given so generously.

“One donation that really touched me was from brother and sister Aiden and Tilly. Instead of buying something for himself 12-year-old Aiden had given up his birthday money to buy presents along with Tilly for poorly children instead.

“With the donated toys, we always give a present over the Christmas period to children being discharged and going home. On Christmas Eve each child is given a present and then Father Christmas arrives on the big day and hands out the lovely toys people have donated. We also ensure that colleagues across the Trust have presents to hand out to their young service users too.

“Christmas 2021 has been amazing, thank you so much!”

School nursing

Over the past two years the school nursing team has been delivering Christmas presents to some of our vulnerable families. These include children who are receiving multi agency support to address complex health and social care and education problems.

Whilst delivering the presents the team fed back some of the comments it received.

Colleagues said: “We can’t thank everyone enough for the thoughtful donations. When we were delivering the presents one parent was so thankful and crying with happiness.

“There was also one family where the children came downstairs jumping around with excitement.

“Overall the families that we delivered to were very grateful. There was even one family that was unable to buy presents for their children this Christmas and they were very overwhelmed knowing that this wouldn’t have to be a struggle for them that year.”

We are so appreciative of everyone who donated to Well Wishers. Without your donations we couldn’t make Christmas as great as it was for the children and their families. Your generosity and kindness has brought a smile to someone’s face on what can be the most difficult time of the year for them.

So from the Fundraising team, thank you to every single one of you that walked through our Fundraising Hub doors and a happy new year to you all.