Elf yourself for a good cause! Join NHS Lothian Charity’s Festive Fundraiser

Do you want to be on Santa’s nice list this year?

NHS Lothian Charity is excited to announce its annual National ‘Elf Service Day’ on 12 December 2024. Get ready to spread some festive cheer by dressing up as an elf or wearing your favourite festive jumper, whilst raising money to support NHS Lothian patients, visitors and staff.

Every year NHS Lothian Charity supports projects that bring joy and comfort to those who are in hospital over Christmas, too unwell to go home. From funding Christmas presents and decorations to supporting enhanced free Wi-Fi so that families can stay connected, your support helps make these things possible.

Sometimes the simplest of things, can make a big difference, with a senior charge nurse explaining:

Our ward has predominantly dementia patients and many of them forget its Christmas time, so the decorations help the patients remember. They really help us engage with patients.”

Taking part in The National ‘Elf Service Day is a fun way to for you to help NHS Lothian Charity support staff to bring a bit of Christmas magic and comfort to hospital and communities during the festive season and throughout the year. One patient who spent last Christmas in hospital said:

The staff have made such an effort, it’s lovely. You almost forget you are in hospital at this time of year.”

All you need to do is dress up as an elf or in your favourite Christmas jumper. Sign up, and you’ll receive a free fundraising pack, full of ideas to help make your day a success. You’ll also get an elf name generator to have a laugh with friends, family or colleagues. So, if you’re looking for something fun to do this Christmas to support a local charity, sign up today!

TracyAnne Miller who took part last year and plans to take part again said:

I was delighted take part in The National ‘Elf Service Day. Not only were we supporting the amazing NHS Lothian Charity, but who wouldn’t want to dress up as an elf?! Fun, fun and more festive fun – what a way to raise funds for NHS Lothian Charity – roll on Elf Service Day 2024!”

Tumong Edwards, Community and Events Fundraiser, said:

Our NHS staff are incredible, and we are proud to support them in bringing comfort and joy to patients. They do so much to care for patients as part of their day-to-day roles, but at Christmas they do even more, with many of them giving up Christmas Day with their families to care for the people we love. Some staff members rope in their family to be Santa Claus or bring along their own musical instruments to entertain patients. Through fun events like The National ‘Elf Service Day, we can help them do more to spread festive cheer for those who need it most; purchasing thoughtful gifts or decorating wards so that it still feels like Christmas, for both the patients themselves and the families who desperately want to have their loved one at home with them during this special time of year. Thank you to everyone who has signed up so far, your participation makes moments like these possible. We can’t wait to hear about the brilliant time you’ve had.”