Winter wonderland at New Cross Hospital
Date of release: 29 November 2024
Patients, visitors and staff at New Cross Hospital were urged to have themsELVES a Merry Little Christmas today when broadcaster and journalist Suzi Perry switched on the festive lights after a fun Friday of seasonal treats.
Suzi Perry presses button
Members of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) Charity Team have been busy swapping texts and emails with Santa Claus for the last few weeks to ask him to support the annual Christmas Fayre and lights switch-on in the marquee outside the Emergency Department.
And the jolly gent proved a popular crowd pleaser for visitors to today’s event prior to the big magical moment. A host of stalls ran through the day offering gift ideas for all ages and interests and Arts and Heritage Group volunteers gave people an opportunity to create a piece of artwork using their thumbprints.
Prior to the magical moment Motorsports presenter Suzi switched on the lights, the RWT Singers delighted everyone with carols including Mary’s Boy Child and O Little Town of Bethlehem
Following a prayer by Joe Fielder, Chaplaincy Team Leader, and before she did the honours, Suzi reminded the crowd that “togetherness” was important at Christmas.
“It’s lovely to be here today, which is a funny thing to say about being at a hospital! I’m happy to be turning on the Christmas lights but Christmas can be a very difficult time of year for many people, and this is where being together to share love and memories is important. Togetherness is important. I wish all of you a wonderful Christmas.”
Mandy Bains, Healthcare Assistant, was among today’s visitors.
She said: “This is a lovely event, and it does get you feeling all Christmassy. Thank you to our Charity for organising it all.”
Suzi Perry and the Charity Team (left) and the tree
Richard Woodhouse, Estates Officer, and Neil Arrowsmith, Supervisor, are part of the Trust’s Estates Management Team which arranged for the lights to be installed so that today’s winter wonderland could be created.
“We have had donations from William Gough, Eyre and Ellison and Brykol which have been used for today’s lights and the displays we have on our Children’s Ward,” explained Richard. “As soon as Suzi switched on the Christmas tree lights we went round the site to switch on all the others.”
Amanda Winwood, Charity Development manager, said the Christmas countdown had definitely begun.
“We are all feeling really festive now and thank Suzi for supporting today’s event – along with our stall holders and our colleagues from Estates who have worked so hard getting the site ready for us.
“December is a whirlwind month of activities, events and donations so look out for your RWT Charity Team as it spreads magic and sparkle across our hospitals and community sites.”
ENDS
- For further information, please email tina.faulkner1@nhs.net
