2000 hospital patients will see the magic of Christmas this year following Northamptonshire Health Charities' Elf Service.
This will be the third year this is running and gives those spending Christmas in a hospital ward a specially designed gift box.
Alfie Dutfield-Wright, Head of Fundraising at Northamptonshire Health Charity, said:
"Nobody wants to spend Christmas in hospital, but for around 2,000 local people it will be a reality this year. A small gift may seem simple, but for someone spending Christmas away from home it can mean the world. Whether you donate, hold a festive fundraiser or buy a raffle ticket, you'll be helping make a difficult day a little brighter for patients and the staff caring for them."
The charity is asking for local people, businesses, schools and community groups to help fundraise to make this magic happen.
Linda, Northampton, received one of the gift boxes last year:
"Even though I had my husband and son with me, I woke up on Christmas Day and still felt quite lonely. When I opened the gift box, I cried. It was beautifully wrapped, with socks, chocolate mints and a pack of cards. My husband and I played cards that evening. It was overwhelming to know people cared."
This service supports patients from Kettering General Hospital, Northampton General Hospital, and Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
The appeal also helps children who are outpatients have Christmas parties.
There are three ways to help: donating, organising a fundraiser, or entering their £2 raffle which has a £2000 first place prize.
You can find more information on their website https://northamptonshirehealthcharity.co.uk.
