Send a Smile

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.

Tesco join NNUH Send a Smile with Santa campaign

Tesco Harford Bridge store will be joining the campaign run by NNUH and the Norwich Evening News to ensure that every inpatient at the hospital has a gift to open on Christmas Day.

The store, located on the A140 Ipswich Road, has offered to become a drop-off location for gifts, in order to help support the hospital in its appeal.

Christina Martin, Community Champion at Tesco Harford Bridge said: “Members of the team from across the store saw coverage of the launch of the campaign in the Evening News and were really keen to get involved. As the Community Champion for the store, I knew there was a great opportunity for us to get involved by offering the store as a drop-off point for gifts. At Tesco, we’re always keen to support local campaigns which have an impact on our communities and saw this as a great way to help.”

She added: “Customers can now drop off gifts at Tesco Harford Bridge when they come to do their weekly shopping, or perhaps even add something small to their baskets for donation to the hospital while they’re in store; it couldn’t be easier.”

Tesco will also be helping to ensure the hospital is filled with Christmas cheer, having offered to provide  some treats  for staff working on the day to enjoy.

The Send a Smile with Santa campaign launched in the Evening News on 1st November and has been gaining traction with multiple new businesses coming forward to pledge their support. Gifts are also beginning to trickle into the reception desks at NNUH, where dedicated delivery points have been established.

Emma McKay, Director of Nursing at NNUH, said: “We’ve been delighted with the initial response to our Christmas campaign this year; individuals and businesses have been really keen to show their support and continue to come forward to offer their help. We’re determined to ensure that every inpatient in our hospital on Christmas Day has a gift to open and are so grateful to those who have already helped to start making this a reality.”

For more information on the appeal, please contact Louise Cook, Fundraising Manager at NNUH, on 01603 287107 or email [email protected]. Please ensure all presents are dropped off by Saturday 10th December 2016 to allow time for distribution and wrapping.