A group of staff members have got into the festive spirit by raising money to buy gifts for patients who will be in hospital on mental health wards over Christmas.
Our Financial Services Team fundraiser managed to collect almost £4,050 through a Christmas and Easter raffle, a tuck shop for their team and kind donations from colleagues, suppliers and local supermarkets.
The funds have been shared over 30 in-patient wards across the area to spend on presents for those staying on wards over the festive period, away from their families and loved ones. The gifts, which will be given out on Christmas Day, include chocolate, socks, hats, gloves and personal items for patients at hospitals in Chorley, Blackburn, Blackpool, Preston, Kendal, Barrow-in-Furness and units in Wesham and Whalley.
Michelle Hilton, Financial Assistant and Fund Manager for the In-Patient Fund, said:
“We are so pleased to have raised this money for the benefit of our patients, who will be in hospital and on our wards for a variety of reasons linked to the treatment of their mental health conditions, over Christmas.
This is a time many of us take for granted, getting to spend it with those who matter to us most and so anything we can do to make our service users feel special and welcome while in our care matters to us.
My team is based at Trust headquarters in Preston and this is our way of being able to give back to those who are on the wards who we don’t get to see every day. I would like to thank each and every colleague who donated and also suppliers and businesses for donating funds and prizes for our raffles. It’s down to their generosity that our patients will get a gift this Christmas.”
Chief Nursing Officer Designate, Oliver Soriano, added:
“I am so proud of our corporate colleagues doing their bit for our patients who will be spending their time in our care this Christmas. The kindness of our colleagues, as well as our suppliers and those who donated, has meant that our nurses and care staff will get to put a smile on our patients’ faces, which will inevitably make them feel great too.
These gifts, no matter how big or small, will really make a difference to those who are unwell and need a boost at Christmas.”
We are also reminding people that mental health support is available across Lancashire and South Cumbria over the festive period through the Crisis Line on 0800 953 0110, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For help with anxiety and depression, please visit Talking Therapies where you will find more information and can make a self-referral into the service.
