FATHER CHRISTMAS took time out of his busy Christmas Eve schedule to bring presents to patients at University hospital.
The man in the big red suit made a special stop at the Coventry hospital to deliver gifts to children and adults who were away from family over the Christmas period.
The elves were also given time off from last-minute present making, with Santa handing out gifts that had been donated as part of the UHCW Charity’s Pack an Extra Present scheme.
Players and fans of Coventry City Football Club, Blaze Ice Hockey Team and the Waps; retailers including Tesco, Ikea and Morrison as well as schools and faith organisations collected gifts and confectionery for patients.
Melanie Shiel, Fundraising Officer at UHCW Charity, said thanks to the generosity of local people, Father Christmas was able to visit all the children and babies at the hospital, as well as older patients who did not have anyone visiting them.
She added: “The children who were unlucky enough to spend Christmas day in hospital were so worried that Santa wouldn’t know where they were and that they wouldn’t get any presents.
“We were particularly pleased to also receive gifts for our older patients, who were too ill to leave hospital and celebrate Christmas at home with their loved ones.
“The generosity of people continues to amaze me and it is marvellous that people are so thoughtful about our patients at Christmas.
“Hospital is the last place anybody wants to be at Christmas, so it is just about making it as special as we can.”
