Young patients, parents, doctors, nurses and support staff at Watford General Hospital have been verwhelmed by the generous donations received by the children’s ward this Christmas.
The ward, which serves the Hemel Hempstead area as part of the West Herts hospital provision, received a special Christmas surprise when Watford FC’s team mascot, Harry The Hornet and first-team squad members Troy Deeney, Marco Cassetti, Fernando Forestieri, Josh McEachran and Daniel Pudil popped in to hand out presents, pose for photographs and sign autographs on Starfish Ward, Safari Day Unit and the children’s emergency department.
The Christmas cheer has continued over the past few weeks with the ward receiving sacks full of donated presents from local companies and charities.
Hemel Hempstead and Watford offices of the Reed recruitment organisation launched a gift appeal in November and visited the ward last week to hand out presents, including a new digital radio and iPod docking station, which will be used in the adolescent room on Starfish Ward.
Office Angels, Camp Sincha and The YMCA Bedfordshire Princes Trust also dropped by with another huge pile of presents for the young patients on the ward.
Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive Samantha Jones said: “On behalf of our young patients, their families and the staff, I would like to say a very big thank you to all the local companies who have kindly donated to our children’s service this year. We have been absolutely overwhelmed by their generosity.
“We were delighted that the Watford football players were once again able to visit us. The children were so excited about meeting the players; it’s a real treat for all of them. It gives them something positive to focus on and to look forward to.
“The presents and visits have a really positive effect on our young patients, particularly those who may have to stay in hospital over Christmas.”
