Can you Send a Smile with Santa this Christmas?

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Charity has reached the two thirds mark for its Christmas present appeal for every inpatient in hospital Christmas Day to wake up to a present from Santa.

Norfolk companies and members of the public from across the county have been generously donating gifts for Santa to the appeal, which has reached a current total of 600 presents of the 900 target.

While many people, young and old, will be lucky enough to celebrate at home with their families this year, some will be spending their Christmas Day in hospital. To brighten their hospital stay the N&N launched their ‘Send a smile with Santa’ Christmas Present Appeal with the aim of providing a present to every patient staying on a ward in the hospital on Christmas Day. Gifts are needed for all patients from new born babies to our older people’s medicine patients. NNUH Chief Executive, Mark Davies, will also be playing Santa on Christmas Day by joining members of staff to help deliver presents on some of the wards.

Louise Cook, NNUH Fundraising Manager said: “We have received a fantastic amount of support so far from both members of the public and local companies who have helped us reach 600 presents so far but we need a little more help to get to our final target of 900 presents.”
Emma McKay, Director of Nursing, said: “We do all we can to help as many children and adults as possible spend Christmas at home, but unfortunately at times they are too poorly and it isn’t possible. The hospital staff work hard to make Christmas a happy time for patients and families of all faiths, but a gift for every patient will make it extra special.  We are determined that our patients will not miss out on the magic of Christmas simply because they are in hospital.”

All presents need to remain unwrapped so that the hospital can then ensure that presents are personally picked and wrapped for each patient as well as to protect against infection.

For more information on the appeal, or to offer a drop-off location, please contact Louise Cook on 01603 287107 or email Louise.Cook@nnuh.nhs.uk. We would be grateful if all presents could be dropped off by Friday 11th December to allow time for wrapping and distribution. There will also be a drop off point at the Christmas Fayre on 10th December.

Notes to editors

Suggested gifts:

1. Lip balms, hand lotions, foot lotions or other moisturising lotions or hand wipes (either fragrance free or gently fragranced)
2. Perfumes, bubble bath, make-up
3. Slipper socks/ bed socks or normal socks
4. Handkerchiefs
5. Small picture frames
6. Chocolates, biscuits, sweets, cereal bars, sweets
7. Cordials, herbal, original or flavoured tea-bags
8. Pens/ pencils, notepads, notelets and cards and puzzle books

Unacceptable items include:

1. Homemade food items
2. Recycled gifts
3. Opened items
4. Politically sensitive items
5. Electrical goods

Present drop off points are:

• All NNUH reception areas
• Norwich and Peterborough branches at Wymondham, Diss, Bungay, Sheringham branch 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
• Morrisons Riverside