SANTA took time out of his hectic schedule to serenade patients, visitors and staff at the Countess of Chester hospital.
Local businessman Dr Graham Rideal played his clarinet, dressed as Father Christmas, in the hospital’s main reception to raise more than £600 for the trust’s Relative Comfort Appeal.
Fundraising manager Janet Ratcliffe said: “Graham has kindly visited the trust on four occasions over the past two years and raised £1,160 for our appeal which will provide day and overnight accommodation for relatives of critically ill patients.
“Every donation will help us to reach our target that much sooner”.
Graham commented: “The hospital has helped me through both colon and liver cancer, so I have nothing greater than my life to thank the hospital for.
“It was very satisfying to see the pleasure my music brought to visitors and patients alike. The staff were also brilliant, very smiley and very generous.
“I met two people in wheel chairs who had come down from the wards to hear me. They left saying how great they felt and that music really uplifts one’s spirit. That was sufficient thanks for the day.”
To raise money for your local hospital, call 01244 366240, or visit www.coch.nhs.uk/fundraising.
