Local Business’ Back Local Hospital Christmas Appeal

Two local companies have signed up to the Send a Smile with Santa campaign  ensuring that Christmas is extra special for patients at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.  The appeal aims to collect 900 presents ensuring that every inpatient in hospital on Christmas Day has a gift to open.

Donation points are being set up by the Norwich & Peterborough Building Society branches at Wymondham, Chapelfield, Great Yarmouth and Wroxham, and the Holiday Inn hotels located on Ipswich Road, Cromer Road and Carrow Road in Norwich.  Both organisations are encouraging staff and customers to donate gifts for patients.

Louise Cook, NNUH Fundraising Manager said: “We are incredibly grateful to the companies who have signed up to help us keep Christmas magical for the many patients who are too ill to go home. We would encourage people to drop off presents with these companies and help us to send a smile with Santa!”

Lauren Jones, N&P Wymondham, said: “We’re delighted to be a supporter of the NNUH Send A Smile with Santa appeal. The drop off bins will be at all our branches and we would like to urge our customers to buy one extra gift this year and help us brighten up the day for those who are in hospital this Christmas time.”

Jo-Anne Arnoup, Holiday Inn Norwich Reservations and M&E Manager commented: “We’re really pleased to be involved in the Send A Smile with Santa appeal this year. We would like to encourage all our teams, guests & customers to give to the appeal and help spread some Christmas cheer to all those people who are in hospital at Christmas time.”

Customers, staff and members of the public can drop off a gift at all participating companies from now until Friday 4th December 2015, when the gifts will be taken to the hospital for sorting and wrapping.

To register your companies interest in collecting gifts for the appeal please contact Louise Cook on 01603 287 107or email Louise.Cook@nnuh.nhs.uk

Further information on the appeal and how to support the hospital charity can be found on the NNUH website https://new.nnuh.nhs.uk/get-involved/fundraising-2/latest-appeal/.

Notes to editors

Present drop off points are:

•    All NNUH reception areas
•    Norwich and Peterborough branches at Wymondham, Diss, Bungay, all central Norwich branches
•    Holiday Inn Hotels at Carrow Road, Cromer Road and Ipswich Road
•    Natwest Branches: Wymondham, Diss, Cromer, North Walsham, Norwich London Street, Norwich Boundary Road, Norwich St Stephens Street, East Dereham and Great Yarmouth
•    Co-operative Travel Cromer Branch