A huge ‘thank you’ has been issued after two hospitals were inundated with Christmas gifts.
The Countess Charity has expressed its gratitude to local community for the many generous festive donations that were received at both The Countess of Chester and Ellesmere Port Hospital.
Head of fundraising Janet Ratcliffe said “On behalf of all our patients, their families and our staff I would like to thank everybody for donating items for our patients who were in hospital over the festive period.
“It’s lovely to know that people were thinking of others at this busy time of year.”
Many individuals, companies and other organisations donated gifts for the children’s ward.
These included toys and sweets from Dee 106.3, Big Yellow Storage, Broughton Sports and Social Club, The King’s School, Novus Property Solutions, The Scooter Club and local Freemasons.
Several members of Chester FC also visited the ward and brought in gifts.
Items received for the children’s party included food from Tesco Sealand Road and selection boxes from Morrisons.
Tarvin Sands Fisheries brought along two baby reindeer which delighted the young patients and their families.
As well as being distributed to children in hospital over the Christmas period, the toys and sweets were also given to children attending A&E and to children receiving treatment through the ‘Hospital at Home’ service.
Former nurse Angela Evoy, from North Wales, made a special visit to the hospital before Christmas with dozens of presents for elderly patients on Ward 51.
Angela said “I lost my father in August this year. As I won’t be able to buy my dad a present this year I sent a text to all my friends, many of whom are also former nurses, to see if they would support me in buying a gift for an elderly person this year. The response was fantastic and I am so pleased that patients who were in hospital on Christmas Day received a gift and were aware that someone was thinking about them.”
Ward manager Carol Butler said “The beautifully wrapped gifts included scarves, food treats socks gloves and pampering products all brought a great deal of joy to our patients, especially those whose families were unable to visit.”
