Hospital opens toy appeal for kids who are sick over Christmas

Christmas is just around the corner but for some children that sadly means spending it in hospital.

But there is a way to bring some festive cheer to those kids – Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust has opened its 2023 toy appeal for members of the public to give a gift to young patients at University Hospital Lewisham (UHL) and Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) who are too ill to go home over Christmas.

The hospitals are asking for online donations to enable them to buy educational toys, sensory items and equipment for young patients up to 16 during their hospital stays.

Donations to the Trust Charity Christmas Appeal can be made at the JustGiving page: Christmas Appeal 2023. 

You can also donate new toys in the original packaging such as baby toys, educational toys, arts and crafts sets, board games and toiletries gift sets. The charity asks that gifts are not wrapped and cannot accept cuddly toys.

Toys can be dropped off at UHL and QEH’s main reception, between 10am and 3pm each day until December 22.

Robert Cole, head of nursing for children and young people said: “We believe that every child deserves to experience the magic of Christmas and the toy appeal steps in to help Father Christmas do this for children and young people who have to spend it in hospital.

“Each year, we hold a Christmas toy appeal, and we are grateful to our local communities for their generous donations. We understand that these are difficult times, but if you do have some spare change, please consider donating to our appeal.

“Making a patient’s stay with us a little bit brighter is always lovely, especially at this time of year when they might really miss home.”

Pictured top: Patients and staff on the Tiger Ward in QEH (Picture: Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust)