Portsmouth's Queen Alexandra Hospital launches Secret Santa appeal with The News to bring joy to patients this Christmas

Each year staff go the extra mile, with decorations and thousands of generous donations from the public meaning children and adults on wards don’t miss out.Donations of chocolates for the staff and presents for patients usually fill back rooms and corridors in Queen Alexandra Hospital ready to be distributed to help spread festive cheer.

But this year due to the coronavirus pandemic the Cosham hospital will be unable to accept any donations.

Instead Portsmouth Hospitals Charity and The News are launching a Secret Santa Appeal for supporters to donate cash that can be spent on presents for patients.

Chief executive of Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, Mark Cubbon, said: ‘We have been overwhelmed by the kindness and support we have received from our communities, particularly over the last year.

‘Christmas is a time of year that we hope to be able to spend with our friends and family, however some people will face a stay in hospital instead.

‘We know that Christmas will be different this year and we want to do all that we can to ensure our patients feel able to celebrate the festive season wherever possible.

‘This initiative by Portsmouth Hospitals Charity and The News will help us to achieve this. Thank you to The News and to all those in our communities who continue to show incredible support for our patients and all at the QA.’

The hospital’s charity has also an Amazon wishlist for presents for the children’s and neonatal departments.

Kerry Budd, quality improvement facilitator at the trust, added: ‘Christmas is just around the corner and this year may be slightly different to our usual celebrations, however the act of giving a Christmas present to one of our inpatients is one of my favourite activities at work.

SEE ALSO: Portsmouth health boss urges people to follow tier two rules ahead of Christmas relaxation

‘Our patients appreciate the kindness and the thought taken to give them a gift, just to know someone is thinking of them and that they are not alone at this time of year.

‘The simple act of kindness, community and Christmas spirit is truly magical and to bring this to the hospital is really special.’

To donate online visit justgiving.com/campaign/christmasphc

Any messages with a donation will be included on a gift tag for a patient.

To donate via text message, text CHRISTMASPHC plus the amount you wish to donate to 70085. For example if you wish to donate £5 you should text CHRISTMASPHC 5 to 70085.

Each text will cost your donation plus your standard network charge. You must be aged 16 or over and please ask the bill payer's permission.

To purchase a gift from the Amazon wishlist visit amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/10SA1MNC20YOB