Sienna Cripps, 10, helping charity fundraiser Morgan Hughes decorate the tree in Basingstoke with donation gift tags.
For most of our community, Christmas will be spent at home, surrounded by loved ones, unwrapping presents while the smell of dinner wafts through the house. But for some, they’ll need to be in hospital, away from the familiar traditions they love so much.
To bring a little joy to patients this Christmas, Hampshire Hospitals Charity wants to ensure everyone staying with them, either in Basingstoke, Winchester or Andover, receives a thoughtful gift to open, and giving trees are popping up across the local area to support their Christmas gift appeal.
The charity’s call for gifts this year is supported by local young fundraiser Sienna Cripps, aged 10, who earlier this year won a Places to be Proud of award for her dedication to fundraising, which included delivering Christmas presents to those in hospital.
Supporting the appeal for Christmas gifts, Sienna said: “Christmas is about love, joy and celebration, but for some people, it can be a difficult time, especially those spending it in hospital.
“Please help bring a little Christmas magic, happiness and smiles to patients this festive season by donating a gift. Every little gift can make a big difference.”
Giving trees can be found in a variety of places this year including hospitals, restaurants, and local businesses. Trees are covered in gift tags and people are invited to select a tag and purchase the gift written on it through the charity’s website. Your generous donation will then be delivered directly to the team who will wrap it and deliver it to a patient in hospital on the big day.
The charity has once again worked with nursing teams to create a list of gifts that would benefit patients staying in hospital and bring joy to those who open them.
Asma Abbass, child health matron, said: “Where possible, we always want to get our patients home for Christmas but, for some, they need to be under our care, and we do our best to make it as nice as possible for them.
“With the support of Hampshire Hospitals Charity, last year we were able to give every patient staying with us, no matter what their age or circumstance, a kind and thoughtful gift. Hopefully, with the support from our community, we’ll be able to do the same again this year and bring a little joy to those staying with us over Christmas.”
If you’re not able to find a giving tree near you, you can still support the gift appeal through the charity’s website. Click the button below to visit the online donation shop, where you’ll find the list of gifts available to purchase.