More than 1,700 people in hospitals across the north-east will receive a gift from Santa on Christmas Day, thanks to the kindness of the people of Grampian.

NHS Grampian Charity, the official charity of NHS Grampian, has continued its annual traditional of providing gifts for patients who are staying in one of the health board’s hospitals over the festive period. The gifts are funded through donations generously made by patients, visitors, and members of the public.

“Spending Christmas in hospital can be extremely difficult,” says Lisa Duthie, NHS Grampian Charity Lead.

“At a time when many expect to be with family and friends, there are hundreds of people who will instead wake up in hospital wards and spend their Christmas Day with our NHS health and care colleagues.

“Thanks to the incredible support of the public, we’re able to make sure each patient gets a small gift – a little something to open on Christmas Day that reminds them that we care.”

Laura Skaife-Knight, chief executive of NHS Grampian, says,

“Our staff try to get as many patients as possible home to their families over the festive period, but we will always have patients who cannot go home for Christmas. Our staff do everything possible to try and make Christmas magical for these patients, and I want to thank all staff who have gone above and beyond to buy and wrap gifts, decorate wards, plan parties and fun activities, and bring the spirit of Christmas to our hospitals.”

“It’s heart-warming to see that so many want to bring a bit of Christmas joy to patients who’d otherwise miss out.

“Little extras like these can make all the difference to the wellbeing of our patients, and I speak on behalf of all at NHS Grampian when I say a heartfelt thank you to every single person who has helped to make this happen.”

Almost 90 wards at 17 different NHS Grampian hospitals across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray will receive gifts this year. This includes Ward 104 at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where Christie Herbert, health care support worker, Megan Greer, student nurse, and patient Linda got a sneak peek at this year’s gifts.

Christie says, “It’s fantastic that we are able to give patients something on Christmas morning, and we are really grateful to the charity and its supporters for making this happen.

“It’s about so much more than gifts; it’s about giving them that moment of joy and human connection at a time when they might be feeling really alone.”

As well as gifts, NHS Grampian Charity also supports Christmas decorations and fun festive parties and activities for patients. If you would like to support your local hospital this Christmas, please visit www.nhsgcharities.com/donate