Christmas Day promises to be a bit brighter for people spending it in Ipswich Hospital this winter thanks to an annual campaign.
For the third year running, members of the public can leave wrapped or unwrapped presents around a Giving Tree in the hospital’s Courtyard Restaurant.
The gifts will then be delivered on December 25 by special ‘elf volunteers’ to patients on all of the various wards, both adults and children.
The hospital is aiming to collect 1,000 presents that can raise a smile for those feeling unwell during the holiday season.
Donations of warm clothing and nonperishable food are also welcome and they will be given to people in need in the community.
Ipswich Hospital’s events and community fundraising officer, Jessica Watkins, has urged the public to get behind the campaign, which was launched yesterday.
She said: “Sometimes it is the little things which make the biggest difference, especially at Christmas time.
“For some of our patients that may not get a gift or a visitor on Christmas Day, this random act of kindness can let them know that someone is thinking of them at Christmas time.
“We are always really well supported by our local community, businesses, families and staff and would like to thank everyone who donates a small gift to the Giving Tree this year.”
Anyone wishing to donate a present to the festive appeal should take their chosen item to the hospital, fill in the relevant gift tag, before leaving it under the Giving Tree between 7.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, from December 4-22.
Suitable presents for patients include slippers, socks and bed socks; toiletries, new books and magazines; pens, pencils, notebooks and cards; puzzles and colouring books; small chocolates or sweets; pyjamas and dressing gowns; insulated travel mugs for parents on the children’s ward; art and craft materials and dementia friendly gifts such as fidget quilts.
Presents can also be left around giving trees found in branches of Ipswich Building Society.
For people who haven’t got time to go out and buy a present, there is also a wish list on the Amazon website, from which people can order and send presents direct to the hospital.
For further information about the Giving Tree appeal, email the Ipswich Hospital charity team via Charity@Ipswichhospital.nhs.uk
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