Bristol hospital charity Above & Beyond is asking businesses in the city to swap their secret Santa for a donation with a difference as it launches its Christmas Appeal to raise £20,000 for the Royal Hospital for Children.
More than 5,000 children will spend the festive period in Bristol children’s hospital. Many will be in with winter illnesses such as pneumonia and have to be cared for in isolation. Others will be having treatment for life-limiting conditions such as congenital heart disease, cancer and cystic fibrosis. 
Away from the comfort of their own home, it can be difficult for these youngsters to enjoy Christmas as only children can – which is why hospital staff go above and beyond to make this time of year extra special.
The hospital relies on charitable donations to bring Christmas to the patients and one way for businesses to help this year is by supporting a special present-making day for young patients on December 15.
A donation of just £5 will provide a ceramic star for the children to decorate, along with tissue paper and gift box so they can give their parents a handmade keepsake on Christmas Day.
Children’s hospital play specialist Miranda Webb said: “It’s the little things that make all the difference and help us bring Christmas to the patients. The star decoration is a really special thing for the children to do – the pride on the children’s faces when they get these back is amazing.
“It’s not always big fancy things we need but everyday things like card, paint and glitter that allow children to play and just be children. It’s surprising how much this all adds up and as there is no NHS budget for it, we rely on the support of others.”
Above & Beyond head of corporate partnerships Lorna Clarke added: “This Appeal is an opportunity for businesses to give a donation with a difference. Whether it’s the £5 they would have spent on their office secret Santa, a collection through an office whip-round or a donation from the company – their support will make a huge difference to children and their families this Christmas.”
The craft day will cost £2,000 to run and includes all the necessary materials for children to make their own special Christmas star. Any additional corporate donations will go directly to the children’s hospital in support of further play activities.
For more information about how to donate, visit http://www.aboveandbeyond.org.uk/christmas-appeal/business-gift or Tweet @aboveandbeyond1 #sprinklesomemagic
Above & Beyond is Bristol’s hospitals’ charityraising funds for all nine city centre hospital sites. Each year it raised around £3m in projects that make a real difference to patient care and hospital experience.
