Published on 10 December 2019
Poorly children can look forward to a happier Christmas thanks to the generosity of two local youngsters.
Sophie and Jake Murphy, aged 11 and eight, asked their parents to donate the money they would have spent on presents for them to the Kent and Canterbury Hospital for children who will attend hospital during the festive season.
They joined volunteers from the League of Friends of Kent and Canterbury Hospital on Monday to pack the gift bags, with a little help from the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Cllr Terry Westgate, and the Sheriff, Cllr Jeanette Stockley.
Catriona Irvine, chairman of the League of Friends, said it was a lovely gesture by the children.
She said: “It was a wonderfully generous thing to do and we were delighted to meet them and to have the chance to say thank you for their kindness.
“We managed to pack 220 gift bags, designed for a range of age groups, and I know they will make a real difference to the experience of the children at our hospital this Christmas.”
The charity donated £60,000 to the hospital at its most recent meeting last week, to buy items for a range of departments. The bulk of the money will be used for an innovative, state-of-the-art anti-gravity treadmill costing £45,000, to help patients recover mobility after injury or operations.
Each year items worth more than £200,000 are donated to the hospital thanks to funds raised in the Friends’ shops and at events.
To get involved or make a donation, contact Lynne Bannon on 01227 864030 or email ekh-tr.leagueoffriends@nhs.net
