Once again we are delighted to be working with Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland and University Hospitals of Leicester to provide a gift to all older people who will be spending Christmas Day in hospital.

The gifts are donated by Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland supporters at the charity’s shops across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Last year more than 300 LPT patients and another 1,500 UHL patients received these gifts.

Nikki Beacher, LPT’s head of service for community hospitals, said: “Our patients were thrilled to receive presents last year through the ‘Making Christmas Special’ campaign. It made a big difference to their experience of being in hospital at this time of year. We would like to thank all those who made donations last year and to those who will contribute this year. It really is appreciated by our patients.”

Carolyn Fox, chief nurse for Leicester’s Hospitals, said: “The ‘Making Christmas Special’ campaign highlights a real community spirit and we would be delighted if people once again decide to give a little to make a big difference to our older patients spending Christmas in one of our hospitals, instead of at home with their families. Receiving a gift on Christmas Day that has been generously donated means so much to our patients.”

Tony Donovan, executive director at Age UK Leicester Shire and Rutland, said: “This campaign makes an enormous difference to older patients who have to spend Christmas in hospital and the generosity of the community always brings a smile to their face.”

Alison Reynolds, volunteer services co-ordinator for Leicester’s Hospitals, explains: “Nobody wants to spend their Christmas in hospital but unfortunately many are not well enough to go home. The generous donations of gifts from members of the public, staff and people from community groups and businesses make it possible for us to provide patients with some Christmas cheer.”

Packaging your gifts
We welcome all new gifts, still in its original packaging. Your gifts should be put into a small gift bag which is clearly labelled. By putting items in a gift bag rather than wrapping them, we can ensure that the products are safe and appropriate before passing them on.

You can find suggestions of what to include, and details of items we cannot accept below.

Suggested gifts

  1. Lip balms, hand lotions, foot lotions or other moisturising lotions or hand wipes (either fragrance free or gently fragranced)
  2. Soaps, body wash or deodorant
  3. Slipper socks or bed socks
  4. Chocolates, biscuits, sweets, cereal bars, Halal / Indian sweets (not homemade)
  5. Cordials, original, herbal or flavoured tea-bags, hot chocolate or coffee sachets
  6. Pens, pencils, notepads, notelets, cards, books and puzzle books.Things we cannot accept
  7. To prevent infection, we will only be able to accept new items in their original packaging and gifts placed in a gift bag and not wrapped in paper. All purchased food products must be in a sealed package and still in date on 25 December 2019
  8. Unfortunately, we are not able to accept: Edible homemade gifts (cakes, sweets etc), alcohol, electrical items, used clothing or books, DVDs or VHS tapes, political, denominational or religious material, glass items or bottles, and candles.

Please note the deadline for donating gift bags is: Friday 13 December 2019.