Published on: 3 December 2021
Christmas shoppers are being invited to add another pair of pyjamas to their basket as a campaign looks to make older patients comfy this festive time.
The #NightwearBeforeChristmas appeal has been launched again by South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, collecting sets and nighties to gift people staying on its wards.
Those without relatives or friends to spoil them will be among those to benefit, with the presents to be handed out on Friday, December 24, so they will wake up in their new bedclothes on Christmas Day.
In the Christmas before COVID, more than 1,600 items were donated to the appeal, with donations being welcomed from the public and staff, with the team behind it hopeful this year will be even bigger.
Claire Boylan is an Elder Life Specialist Practitioner with the Delirium and Dementia Outreach Team (DDOT) which is based in the Alexandra Centre at Sunderland Royal Hospital.
She said: “Last year we had a fantastic response, despite restrictions, to our #NightwearBeforeChristmas appeal from both inside and outside the Trust.
“This made a huge difference to the patients across both sites at Sunderland Royal Hospital and South Tyneside District Hospital.
“Everyone involved said Christmas morning was so special and the patients were delighted with their gifts.
“The patients and their families are always so overwhelmed by the kindness of everyone involved.
“Those patients who do not have people to visit and spoil them tell staff it makes a huge difference and always puts a smile on their faces.”
The team is especially keen to see men’s items donated, as well as larger sizes for men and women, while non-stretch silk-type materials are not ideal for patients to wear.
People can wrap them up if they wish and add a label to say if it is for a man or woman and its size.
Anyone who would like to add their support can drop off their donation at the Alexandra Centre, which is on E Floor at Sunderland Royal Hospital, between 8am 4pm or leave them at the post box at the entrance if staff are not available.
Those who would like to drop of items at South Tyneside District Hospital can drop them off at the Discharge Lounge, which is based next to the Moorlands Day Unit and opposite Out Patients, between 8am and 8pm Monday to Saturday and from 8am to 6pm on Sundays.
The deadline is Thursday, December 23, to allow the team time to get the gifts ready to be handed out the next day.
Anyone who would like to know more can call 0191 569 9766.
Christmas shoppers are being invited to add another pair of pyjamas to their basket as a campaign looks to make older patients comfy this festive time.
The #NightwearBeforeChristmas appeal has been launched again by South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, collecting sets and nighties to gift people staying on its wards.
Those without relatives or friends to spoil them will be among those to benefit, with the presents to be handed out on Friday, December 24, so they will wake up in their new bedclothes on Christmas Day.
In the Christmas before COVID, more than 1,600 items were donated to the appeal, with donations being welcomed from the public and staff, with the team behind it hopeful this year will be even bigger.
Claire Boylan is an Elder Life Specialist Practitioner with the Delirium and Dementia Outreach Team (DDOT) which is based in the Alexandra Centre at Sunderland Royal Hospital.
She said: “Last year we had a fantastic response, despite restrictions, to our #NightwearBeforeChristmas appeal from both inside and outside the Trust.
“This made a huge difference to the patients across both sites at Sunderland Royal Hospital and South Tyneside District Hospital.
“Everyone involved said Christmas morning was so special and the patients were delighted with their gifts.
“The patients and their families are always so overwhelmed by the kindness of everyone involved.
“Those patients who do not have people to visit and spoil them tell staff it makes a huge difference and always puts a smile on their faces.”
The team is especially keen to see men’s items donated, as well as larger sizes for men and women, while non-stretch silk-type materials are not ideal for patients to wear.
People can wrap them up if they wish and add a label to say if it is for a man or woman and its size.
Anyone who would like to add their support can drop off their donation at the Alexandra Centre, which is on E Floor at Sunderland Royal Hospital, between 8am 4pm or leave them at the post box at the entrance if staff are not available.
Those who would like to drop of items at South Tyneside District Hospital can drop them off at the Discharge Lounge, which is based next to the Moorlands Day Unit and opposite Out Patients, between 8am and 8pm Monday to Saturday and from 8am to 6pm on Sundays.
The deadline is Thursday, December 23, to allow the team time to get the gifts ready to be handed out the next day.
Anyone who would like to know more can call 0191 569 9766.
