Published on 3 November 2021
Could you buy an extra present this Christmas?
East Kent Hospitals Charity has launched its festive wishlist, with options for gifts for children or for adults who will be in hospital over the festive season.
From colouring pens and pencils or stickers, to a special device that reads audiobooks to children, and from music CDs and jigsaw puzzles to digital clocks and tablets, there are options for every budget – and each gift will bring a smile to a patient’s face.
Senior charity officer Dee Neligan said the ongoing coronavirus pandemic had created more of a need for additional presents.
She said: “Unless something can be easily cleaned, it can’t be shared between patients so we are finding the wards need more items than normal so each patient can have one.
“We know a lot of people want to help their local hospital over the festive season so we worked with the clinical teams to put together these lists.
“Each item has been requested by the ward staff and will really make a difference to a poorly child or vulnerable adult this Christmas.”
Items can be delivered directly to the hospitals for patients to enjoy, and can help distract a child while they receive treatment, or help calm someone living with dementia who may be distressed at the change in their environment.
The gifts can be used in the emergency department and outpatients as well as on wards at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital, Kent and Canterbury Hospital and William Harvey Hospital.
Dee added: “We are so grateful for the support of our fantastic communities all year round, but if you can afford to purchase one additional gift this year for our patients it will help spread some additional festive cheer.”
Find the list for children here and for adults here.
There are lots of other ways that you can support East Kent Hospitals Charity this festive season. You can find out more here: https://www.ekhcharity.org.uk/get-involved/donate/festive-giving/
