NNUH Send a Smile with Santa Campaign launches

Patients in hospital this Christmas are set to benefit from a charity appeal launched by the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and the Norwich Evening News, which aims to give each inpatient a gift on Christmas Day.

The ‘Send a Smile with Santa’ campaign is encouraging local people and businesses to donate gifts with the aim of collecting more than 1000 presents for patients.  A number of businesses have already pledged their support by acting as collection points for gifts around the county.
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.

Emma McKay, Director of Nursing, said: “We do all we can to help as many children and adults as possible spend Christmas at home.  Sometimes patients are too poorly and have to remain in hospital during the Christmas period.  The hospital staff work hard to make Christmas a happy time for patients and families, but to make it extra special we would be so grateful to the public if they were to help by donating gifts.  We’re determined that our patients do not miss out on the magic of Christmas simply because they are in hospital.”

The public can drop off presents at the hospital reception desks and at the Archant building on Rouen Road in Norwich.

Gifts can also be donated at various Natwest branches including: Wymondham, Diss, Cromer, North Walsham, Norwich London Street, Norwich Boundary Road, Norwich St Stephens Street, East Dereham and Great Yarmouth.  In Cromer, the Co-operative travel branch is accepting donations.

Louise Cook NNUH Fundraising Manager commented: “The Christmas present appeal we ran last year was so popular and had such a heart-warming response from the people of Norfolk that we decided to make it an annual appeal.  The gifts do not need to be large and can be items as simple as toiletries or a puzzle book. We are delighted that the Norwich Evening News is part of our 2016 campaign and we hope that their many readers will get behind this appeal.”

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. In addition to gifts, the hospital would also welcome donations of wrapping paper and gift bags.

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. Please ensure all presents are dropped off by Saturday 10th December 2016 to allow time for wrapping.